progress

Movement towards a goal, or a change that makes something better.

• We made good progress today.
• The report describes our progress so far.
• Did you make any progress with the repairs?

How to use it: progress towards something (We made steady progress towards our goal.); progress in something (She has made progress in reading.)

Similar words: advancement, advance

Opposites: regression

Common phrases: make progress, slow progress, progress towards something

A change to a better, stronger, or more developed state.

• Her progress at school is encouraging.
• New tools have helped scientific progress.
• The country has made little economic progress recently.

How to use it: progress in something (There has been great progress in medical research.)

Similar words: development, improvement, advancement

Opposites: regression

Common phrases: scientific progress, economic progress, progress in something

Movement forward along a route or towards a place.

• Deep snow slowed our progress.
• We watched the boat’s progress down the river.
• Heavy traffic prevented further progress towards the coast.

How to use it: progress along something (Fallen trees stopped our progress along the path.)

Similar words: advance, movement

Opposites: retreat

Common phrases: slow progress, progress along something, progress towards something

To change over time and become better or more developed.

• Her language skills are progressing.
• The project progressed well last month.
• How has your training progressed this year?

How to use it: progress in something (She is progressing in her studies.); progress from A to B (He progressed from basic exercises to harder ones.)

Similar words: develop, advance, improve

Opposites: regress

Common phrases: progress rapidly, progress in something, progress from something

To move forward along a route or towards a place.

• The group progressed slowly uphill.
• Our boat progressed along the river.
• The troops had progressed several miles by dawn.

How to use it: progress towards something (The walkers progressed towards the village.); progress along something (We progressed slowly along the narrow road.)

Similar words: advance, proceed

Opposites: retreat

Common phrases: progress towards something, progress along something