underway

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​way ˌən-dər-ˈwā How to pronounce underway (audio)
Synonyms of underwaynext
: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion
underway replenishment of fuel

underway

2 of 2

adverb

variants or less commonly under way
1
: in motion : not at anchor or aground
The ship was underway at dawn.
2
: into motion from a standstill
The train should be underway again soon.
3
: in progress : happening now
Preparations for the celebration are already underway.
A search is underway.
The season got underway with a bang.

Synonyms of underway

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of underway in a Sentence

Adverb construction of the new shopping mall is under way
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
In just a few hours, plans were already underway for a reunion. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 30 June 2026 But he was called offside before the celebration could really get underway. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Adverb
Before the Brown trade, the Sixers made some other smaller moves with free agency underway. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 1 July 2026 With the World Cup now underway, sports psychologists like myself—along with fans the globe over—can observe how athletes put some of these principles to work. — Eric Zillmer, Scientific American, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for underway

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

probably from Dutch onderweg, from Middle Dutch onderwegen, literally, under or among the ways

First Known Use

Adjective

1743, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underway was in 1720

Rhymes for underway

See All Rhymes for underway

Browse Nearby Words

underwater
underway
underwear
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underway. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

under way

adverb
1
: in or into motion
a ship getting under way
2
: in progress
preparations are under way

More from Merriam-Webster on underway

Nglish: Translation of underway for Spanish Speakers

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