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

How to pronounce mechanism?

How to say mechanism in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use mechanism in a sentence?

1. Neal Froneman:

   We are trying to understand the mechanism of failure in this unusual case.

2. Kerstin Johannesson:

   Evolutionary biologists were much more focused and interested in the genetic mechanism. They missed what was going on in nature, with really elegant experiments and very clever analytical tools, Dolph, more or less convinced all of us that this (ecology) was really the center of this process.

3. Amy Simon:

   If you think back to the original Voyager pictures of Uranus, it was just kind of a pale blue ball with nothing on it. You didn’t see clouds, you didn’t see haze, you didn’t see anything … so there was a polar cap then, but we couldn’t see it, what we’ve been watching over time (using Hubble), is this buildup of this high-altitude haze in the atmosphere, and the exact purpose or the exact mechanism behind it, we don’t know, that’s one of the things we’re studying.

4. Tom Robinson:

   XRP is being touted for use as a tool for financial institutions, criminals probably do not want to be associated with any mechanism related to that use.

5. Isaac Asimov:

   Science is a mechanism, a way of trying to improve your knowledge of nature. It's a system for testing your thoughts against the universe, and seeing whether they match.