progressive 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈgre-siv How to pronounce progressive (audio)
Definition of progressivenext
1
as in advanced
being far along in development progressive forms of animal life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in liberal
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs a socially progressive community, it was the first to provide for the public education of girls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pioneering
being or employing the latest concepts, styles, or techniques one of the founders of progressive dance, Isadora Duncan became an inspiration to an array of free-spirited artists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

progressive

2 of 2

noun

as in moderate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of progressive
Adjective
In late September, the campaign to support Prop 1 received nearly $2 million in donations, much of which came from prominent progressive donors and political action committees outside of Idaho, the Statesman previously reported. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2026 The exact timing remains uncertain, but this appears to be a relatively progressive system rather than another prolonged rainfall event. — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
Nixon, a progressive, was a community organizer before she was elected to the state House of Representatives. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2026 Markey, a longtime progressive, and Moulton, who has carved out a moderate stance in Congress, are both calling for new guardrails on AI. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for progressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for progressive
  1. advanced
  2. liberal
  3. pioneering
  4. moderate
  5. evolved
  6. modern
  7. unconventional
  8. reformer
Adjective
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • This week, Ukraine also did not receive advanced warning from partners of incoming ballistic missiles, resulting in civilian deaths, according to Ukrainian officials.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • Because the right is viewed as divisive by liberal corporations, and the left is viewed as empathetic common sense.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This process is evident in Egypt and Turkey, where declining mosque attendance has accompanied the growing appeal of liberal values, particularly secularism.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • Jean-Pierre Laffont is a pioneering French-American photojournalist who documented pivotal moments of the 20th century.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Viagra had come along five years earlier, an immediate pioneering blockbuster.
    — Bob Brody, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of pioneering
Noun
  • Disaster failures can mobilize political moderates A handful of studies, including mine, have found that people who have experienced a disaster often have higher levels of civic engagement.
    — Dana R. Fisher, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Both Gluesenkamp Perez and Braun are considered moderates within their parties, both own small businesses and both reside in rural towns.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of moderate
Adjective
  • Chandra spotted 84 suspicious object emitting very low-energy X-rays in six galaxies – four evolved ellipticals and two spirals, namely our near-neighbor the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101).
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Dylan gives a subtle warning for Alex to stay away from Kylie, but Alex was still close to confessing his evolved feelings for her.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of evolved
Adjective
  • Perfect Road, a documentary from Danish directors and cousins Adam and Christian Bonke, follows him on an extreme journey through some of Europe’s highest mountain passes, while also providing a meditation on modern life and character study.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Although driver engagement has long been central to the 911 experience, the realities of modern automotive development are making manual transmissions a rare commodity.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • The food-beauty collaboration pipeline is gaining an unconventional contender.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The most unconventional of the trio is the jamón y queso, built with ribbons of jamón serrano.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconventional
Noun
  • For zero-emissions cruising, the vessel can get its juice from seven 75 kW solid-oxide fuel cells, or nine 250 kW PEM fuel cells paired with a methanol reformer.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Just over three years ago in Guatemala, a coalition of young and Indigenous voters helped propel Bernardo Arévalo, a reformer who campaigned against corruption, to an astounding presidential win.
    — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of reformer

Browse Nearby Words

progressions
progressive
progressively
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Cite this Entry

“Progressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/progressive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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