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Dictionary.com
Definitions

make headway

VERB
advance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accelerate achieve move up progress promote propel speed storm
STRONG
conquer dispatch drive elevate hasten launch march proceed quicken skyrocket
WEAK
bring forward come forward continue ahead continue on forge ahead gain ground get ahead get green light get there get with it go ahead go forth go forward go great guns go places go to town make the scene move on move onward press on push ahead push on send forward step forward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hinder
STRONG
cease halt hold keep retard stop
WEAK
back down decrease hesitate recede retreat retrogress take back turn withdraw yield
VERB
come on
Synonyms
WEAK
develop gain improve increase proceed
Antonyms
WEAK
decline depart deteriorate exit fall go leave reduce retreat worsen
VERB
continue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance carry on carry over endure extend go on last linger maintain persist progress promote pursue reach remain stay survive sustain
STRONG
abide lengthen loiter outlast outlive persevere project prolong rest ride stand uphold
WEAK
draw out forge ahead get on with it hang in keep at keep on keep on truckin' keep the ball rolling keep up live on move ahead never cease perdure persist in press on push on run on stay on stick at stick to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease condemn decrease depart discontinue go halt ignore leave retreat retrogress stop take back
STRONG
abbreviate move quit refuse reject shorten
WEAK
complete desist end finish
VERB
cover ground
Synonyms
WEAK
make strides travel
VERB
fare
Synonyms
STRONGEST
happen manage prosper prove
STRONG
advance do go handle hie journey pass proceed progress shift stagger
WEAK
get by get on make out muddle through
VERB
progress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance continue keep going proceed
STRONG
dash edge lunge shoot speed travel
WEAK
cover ground forge ahead gain ground get along get on go forward make strides move on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease halt stop
WEAK
back up decline decrease deteriorate retreat retrogress
VERB
sail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cross cruise drift float fly leave move navigate reach run shoot skim soar steer sweep
STRONG
boat captain dart embark flit motor pilot scud skipper tack voyage wing
WEAK
cast anchor cast off get under way put to sea set sail skirr weigh anchor
Antonyms
STRONGEST
go land remain stay stop walk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some Nigerians welcomed U.S. intervention, citing their own government’s failure to make headway against terrorism and banditry since the kidnapping of the Chibok girls more than a decade ago.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

“It also illustrates how hard it is for the market to make headway without technology participating.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025

Watched on by Roger Federer, the second set continued in much the same vein, with neither player able to make headway early on.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

The Lions had 18 throws from touch and were turned over four times, a statistic that was all the more disappointing given that the maul did make headway when they got it right.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

And it seems he can never make headway into understanding which theory is closer to the truth.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr