This text examines the semantic development and application of the Czech word for progress ("pokrok") and the concept of progressiveness. The author points out that while the term is commonly understood as a positive advancement forward, as opposed to decline or stagnation, its etymological root is inherently neutral, signifying merely a "step in a certain direction." This neutrality remains evident in contexts where the term describes the advanced stages of negative processes, such as the progression of a disease or decomposition. Consequently, distinguishing between genuine progress and regression depends heavily on one's perspective and the criteria used for evaluation, which are often abstracted in a purely descriptive sense. Similar to the term "development," progressiveness can denote the degree of a process's advancement regardless of whether the outcome is considered beneficial or harmful. The analysis thus highlights the ambiguity of the term, which fluctuates between an objective description of a state and a subjective evaluation of the quality of change.