Synonyms for mechanism
ˈmɛk əˌnɪz əmmech·a·nism

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.5 / 4 votes

1. mechanism

   A tool is something that is both contrived and used for extending the force of an intelligent agent to something that is to be operated upon. Those things by which pacific and industrial operations are performed are alone properly called tools, those designed for warlike purposes being designated weapons. An instrument is anything through which power is applied and a result produced; in general usage, the word is of considerably wider meaning than tool; as, a piano is a musical instrument. Instrument is the word usually applied to tools used in scientific pursuits; as, we speak of a surgeon's or an optician's instruments. An implement is a mechanical agency considered with reference to some specific purpose to which it is adapted; as, an agricultural implement; implements of war. Implement is a less technical and artificial term than tool. The paw of a tiger might be termed a terrible implement, but not a tool. A utensil is that which may be used for some special purpose; the word is especially applied to articles used for domestic or agricultural purposes; as, kitchen utensils; farming utensils. An appliance is that which is or may be applied to the accomplishment of a result, either independently or as subordinate to something more extensive or important; every mechanical tool is an appliance, but not every appliance is a tool; the traces of a harness are appliances for traction, but they are not tools. Mechanism is a word of wide meaning, denoting any combination of mechanical devices for united action. A machine in the most general sense is any mechanical instrument for the conversion of motion; in this sense a lever is a machine; but in more commonly accepted usage a machine is distinguished from a tool by its complexity, and by the combination and coordination of powers and movements for the production of a result. A chisel by itself is a tool; when it is set so as to be operated by a crank and pitman, the entire mechanism is called a machine; as, a mortising-machine. An apparatus may be a machine, but the word is commonly used for a collection of distinct articles to be used in connection or combination for a certain purpose — a mechanical equipment; as, the apparatus of a gymnasium; especially, for a collection of appliances for some scientific purpose; as, a chemical or surgical apparatus; an apparatus may include many tools, instruments, or implements. Implement is for the most part and utensil is altogether restricted to the literal sense; instrument, machine, and tool have figurative use, instrument being used largely in a good, tool always in a bad sense; machine inclines to the unfavorable sense, as implying that human agents are made mechanically subservient to some controlling will; as, an instrument of Providence; the tool of a tyrant; a political machine.

   Synonyms:
   apparatus, appliance, implement, instrument, machine, tool, utensil, weapon

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:2.3 / 3 votes

1. mechanism, chemical mechanismnoun

   the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

   "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"

   Synonyms:
   mechanics, chemical mechanism

2. mechanism, mechanicsnoun

   the technical aspects of doing something

   "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the mechanics of prose style"

   Synonyms:
   mechanics, chemical mechanism

3. mechanismnoun

   a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function

   "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"

   Synonyms:
   mechanics, chemical mechanism

4. mechanismnoun

   (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

   Synonyms:
   mechanics, chemical mechanism

5. mechanismnoun

   device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

   Synonyms:
   mechanics, chemical mechanism

Matched Categories

1. • Chemical Process
   • Device
   • Natural Object
   • Performance
   • Philosophical Doctrine
   • Philosophy

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. mechanismnoun

   Synonyms:
   mechanical action, mechanical agency

2. mechanismnoun

   Synonyms:
   machinery

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "mechanism":

   machinery, mechanisms, facility, device, mécanisme, aprm, arrangement, system, nmwr, tool, instrument, scheme, nwm, process, gearbox, mecanismo

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How to use mechanism in a sentence?

1. Gregory Kuykendall:

   It’s not a question of whether there really is a binding legal obligation or not, every justice in the Supreme Court agrees that there is, the only question is who is going to implement the legal mechanism to put it into place.

2. Tom Coburn:

   Our founders anticipated the federal government might get out of control, and they gave us a constitutional mechanism to rein it in.

3. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley:

   I saw—with shut eyes, but acute mental vision—I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion. Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world.

4. Bob Balaram:

   We will go through a number of days of commissioning– approximately a week – where we test our sensors, we test our solo mechanism, we test the motors to make sure they spin right. And, we will be very methodical and event-driven as this engineering experiment unfolds, and then, we will be at a point where we will undertake our first flight and then we will progressively undertake more flights once we understand and analyze all the behavior from that first flight.

5. Max Botkin:

   I absolutely condemn any suggestion or act of non-consensual touching in any form, as well as disassociation as a coping mechanism for abuse of any kind, i understand and empathize with the parents' and groups' concerns regarding the message the movie may impart.