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 Writing on Telegram, Beskrestnov said that drones operated via the civilian Starlink system had a speed restriction of 70–90 kmh (43-56 mph) within Ukraine and did not work in Russia. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 The spacecraft will use a specialized capture system to approach and secure an inactive satellite. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The reprieve from rain is expected to last just a few more days as forecasters warn of another storm system that could bring Los Angeles its first rainy Halloween since 2014. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Musk also maintained that Starshield is a separate system controlled by the US government. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for system

Recent Examples of Synonyms for system

Noun

The additional site will further strengthen the company’s manufacturing network in Colorado and provide additional capacity for its growing space and sensor systems business.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who has spent more than four hundred million dollars on Republican campaigns this election cycle, slowed Ukraine’s access to his Starshield satellite network, leaving that country more vulnerable to Russian attacks.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of network

Noun

The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Swift's childhood was tailor-made for a Hallmark movie—but the future pop star already had other plans.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

Buyers are already putting money behind methods that remain difficult for outsiders to assess.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
At the time, the team utilized a different error-correction method called Helix to demonstrate record-setting logical memory and computation.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of method

Noun

The agreement came after the EU unveiled a new Arctic strategy aimed at countering growing Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

— Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Its faster trial infrastructure, its more integrated translational pathways, and its willingness to link industrial strategy to health delivery hold lessons for governments around the world.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of strategy

Noun

Proposals include limiting justices’ active service through legislation—an approach whose constitutionality is disputed—or through a constitutional amendment.

— Connor Greene, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Back at the hotel, Vision boots up his head-laser when Paladin’s drone approaches.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of approach

Noun

Her approach often embraces the ancient process of using botanical forms and organic plants as the blueprint for new design.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
With the nation’s electricity demand skyrocketing, SunZia’s collaboration with conservationists may offer a blueprint for getting more megaprojects built.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of blueprint

Noun

To be sure, odds and gambling platforms do not use methodologies used by traditional political polling, and therefore are not substitutes for political polls.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
The platform’s methodology says those years do not represent separate annual snapshots.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of methodology

Noun

Another was that lower government spending for public health programs was leading to higher costs for private sector plans.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
The union argues that income limits topping $500,000 in parts of the state make it more a tax break for the wealthy than an education program.

— Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of program

Browse Nearby Words

syrupy

system

systematic

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Style

“System.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/system. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of system

noun

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