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Synonyms

underway

American  
[uhn-der-wey, uhn-der-wey] / ˈʌn dərˌweɪ, ˈʌn dərˈweɪ /

adjective

  1. occurring while under way.

    the underway activities on a cruise ship.

  2. under way.

Etymology

Origin of underway

1735–45; adj. use of the adverbial phrase under way; way 1

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.

It was unclear what time the talks would get underway, though the Tasnim news agency reported Iran's delegation would meet with Sharif at 1:00 pm.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

A huge relief rally was underway in the stock market Wednesday following a two-week cease-fire deal between the U.S. and Iran.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

"With improvements already underway in our lab, we are confident that we can make it even better and eventually reach the goal of mapping the whole mouse brain," Zhao said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Detective Chf Insp Nicky Jenkins, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and a detailed investigation is underway to establish what happened."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The ship was in great condition for a three-hundred-year- old vessel, but it would still take a crew of fifty several hours to get underway.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.