In a non-volatile memory system that performs programming of selected memory cells (in coordination with pre-charging and boosting of channels for unselected memory cells) and program-verify to determine whether the programming was successful, the system transitions from program-verify to the next dose of programming by concurrently lowering a voltage applied to a selected word line and voltages applied to word lines on a first side of the selected word line at the conclusion of program-verify. Subsequent to lowering the voltage applied to the selected word line, the system successively lowers voltages applied to groups of one or more word lines on a second side of the selected word line at the conclusion of program-verify beginning with a group of one or more word lines immediately adjacent the selected word line and progressing to other groups of one or more word lines disposed increasingly remote from the selected word line.