Thesaurus results for SYSTEM

Q: How is the word 'system' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of system are fashion , manner , method , mode , and way . While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness. // a filing system

Q: When might 'fashion' be a better fit than 'system'?

While in some cases nearly identical to system , fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something. // rushing about in his typical fashion

Q: How do 'manner' and 'mode' relate to one another, in the sense of 'system'?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive. // an odd manner of conducting

Q: When would 'method' be a good substitute for 'system'?

The words method and system can be used in similar contexts, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps. // effective teaching methods

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mode' instead of 'system'?

The meanings of mode and system largely overlap; however, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference. // the preferred mode of transportation

Q: When can 'way' be used instead of 'system'?

The words way and system are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words. // has her own way of doing things

system

noun

ˈsi-stəm

Definition of system

as in network

something made up of many interdependent or related parts the national highway system allows travel from one end of the country to the other the democratic system of checks and balances in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in plan

a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective if you're going to wrap all these presents in one afternoon, you'll need a system

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in method

the means or procedure for doing something not the best system perhaps, but it gets the job done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word system different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of system are fashion, manner, method, mode, and way. While all these words mean "the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end," system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

When might fashion be a better fit than system?

While in some cases nearly identical to system, fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

How do manner and mode relate to one another, in the sense of system?

Manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

When would method be a good substitute for system?

The words method and system can be used in similar contexts, but method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

When is it sensible to use mode instead of system?

The meanings of mode and system largely overlap; however, mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

When can way be used instead of system?

The words way and system are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

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 system Hartford has a leaf disposal system that includes raking to the curb and brown bag pick ups, as well as leaf bag drop off with a city permit. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 The situation is similar to plumbing fixtures located within a unit, which are a unit owner’s responsibility even though the building’s common element plumbing system brings water to all units. — Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Those systems can remain essential to daily operations, even as companies upgrade their technology. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Now, the company is trying to use its own AI systems to help weed out AI slop on the platform and to remind LinkedIn users how to post like humans. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for system

Recent Examples of Synonyms for system

Noun

Major reports about its immigration actions and pay-for-play operations have gotten significant airtime on the network and praise from Weiss.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Skydance, a small production company founded by David Ellison in 2006, has turned into a media giant that unites not only two legacy Hollywood studios but also broadcasting, streaming, and news network assets.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of network

Noun

People with the second phenotype, called durable, might have grown up in a predictable world—for example, a strict religious sect or just a family that experienced little change—and developed only certain coping strategies as a result.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Ren Faire, a 2024 docuseries Oppenheim shot for HBO about the succession crisis at the Texas Renaissance Festival, marked the apotheosis of this strategy.

— Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of strategy

Noun

Such approaches, known as adoptive cell therapies, are already being investigated for other cancers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Boston Dynamics’ approach focuses on improving the connection between engineering and manufacturing, with faster component production and assembly intended to support more rapid development.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of approach

Noun

For a blueprint, Johnson points to a handful of NBA stars who have mastered the art of seeing the game unfold a step or two ahead of everyone else — Draymond Green, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and, yes, former Spurs great Tim Duncan.

— Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Trump in this term quickly began implementing an array of policies left over from his first term or outlined in the Project 2025 policy blueprint, many of which Bonta and other Democratic attorneys general were prepared to sue over, experts said.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of blueprint

Noun

This methodology could underestimate El Niño’s potential impact, Bernstein said.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
The company said that, as long as Varda and its customers have access to microgravity, the shipping methodology — much like shipping on Earth — should not matter, and Varda aims to make the experience that seamless for its customers.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of methodology

Noun

It was deemed Biden’s signature climate law, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for tax credits and programs to bolster the clean energy sector (much of that funding was repealed by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act).

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The program provides training in barista skills, espresso brewing, earning a food handler’s license, learning point-of-sale systems, customer service skills, food prep and other more general workplace skills.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of program

Browse Nearby Words

syrupy

system

systematic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of system

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes