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
Lawrence is one of the most progressive cities in the state of Kansas. — Rashad Alexander october 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 In an address to the nation, Sánchez argued that a broader progressive coalition in Parliament would allow Spain to tackle its biggest challenges. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
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 Ruffalo is also known for being an outspoken political progressive. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 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
  • Scandium’s role in aerospace and advanced technology Rare earth separation involves converting mixed material into individual oxides used across advanced manufacturing and other strategic industries.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Scotti has tried to find out from Fort Worth police if advanced DNA technology, known as forensic genetic genealogy, might move Gloria’s case forward.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • The conservative majority did not explain their order, while the three liberal members signed a dissent that said Pike’s claims deserved a closer look.
    — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Digger is lambasted by his half sister, Emma (Sandra Hüller), a superficially liberal-minded Shiv Roy type, with her own eco-friendly initiative.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • Îacaré was born in Brazil’s wild Pantanal, where the founder’s family operates a pioneering caiman operation that emphasizes transparency and traceability.
    — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Born in Buenos Aires in 1959, Cerati rose to international prominence as the frontman, guitarist and creative force behind Soda Stereo, the pioneering band that helped define rock en español across the 1980s and ’90s.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of pioneering
Noun
  • On the Iranian side, there are questions as to whether the hard-liners who dominate the security forces would accept compromises championed by moderates like President Masoud Pezeshkian.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Two new books argue that this is the wrong debate to be having, since swing voters, with all their idiosyncrasies, don’t see politics through a lens of moderates versus progressives.
    — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 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
  • Our research suggests these tombs were designed and constructed not simply to house the dead, but to affect the living through a sensorily immersive environment similar to a modern 3D film experience.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • From Mudmee Thai silk to handwoven indigo cotton sourced from Don Koi, textiles were reworked using modern techniques such as laser cutting — which also showcased the influence of India through the brand’s Thai identity.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • From betting on Barbie to giving a café barista a shot, Kreiz has repeatedly embraced unconventional people and ideas.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In 2001, the architecture critic and scholar Robin Middleton bought a former tile factory on East 13th Street and remodeled it to match his unconventional life.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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