Synonyms of forward

forward 1 of 3

adverb

1

as in forwards

toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time

if you keep walking forward, you'll hit that wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forwards
• onward
• along
• forth
• ahead
• on
• before
• fore
• frontward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• back
• backward
• behind
• rearward

2

as in onward

toward a point ahead in space or time

from this day forward, our two nations will live in peace and harmony

Synonyms & Similar Words

• onward
• forth
• on
• ahead

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backward

forward

2 of 3

adjective

ˈfȯr-wərd 

1

as in familiar

showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty

a stranger so forward as to ask what medication he was taking and what it was for

Synonyms & Similar Words

• familiar
• arrogant
• proud
• smug
• presuming
• bold
• important
• confident
• presumptuous
• selfish
• immodest
• overfamiliar
• free
• complacent
• vain
• sure
• bumptious
• superior
• cavalier
• fresh
• high-hat
• impudent
• disdainful
• sassy
• uppity
• brazen
• high-and-mighty
• conceited
• saucy
• cheeky
• pert
• pompous
• snobbish
• supercilious
• brassy
• haughty
• overbold
• cocky
• impertinent
• insolent
• egotistic
• vainglorious
• audacious
• self-important
• self-confident
• self-assertive
• pretentious
• egoistic
• brash
• self-assured
• domineering
• prideful
• egomaniacal
• hoity-toity
• self-complacent
• self-satisfied
• lordly
• bold-faced
• highfalutin
• boastful
• overweening
• brassbound
• self-asserting
• bragging
• imperious
• stuck-up
• high-handed
• braggart
• self-conceited
• self-interested
• self-centered
• self-absorbed
• self-involved
• self-engrossed
• self-seeking
• self-concerned
• self-obsessed
• self-infatuated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modest
• unassuming
• humble
• meek
• lowly
• timid
• unpretentious
• shy
• down-to-earth
• retiring
• bashful
• demure
• unassertive
• timorous
• mousy
• diffident
• self-doubting

2

as in front

being at or in the forward part or surface of something

the ship's forward deck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• front
• frontal
• fore
• anterior
• frontward
• ventral

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rear
• posterior
• after
• hinder
• aft
• hind
• rearward
• dorsal
• hindmost

3

as in higher

being far along in development

the local citizenry's attitude toward racial equality was very forward for its time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• higher
• advanced
• improved
• evolved
• high
• progressive
• late
• developed
• enhanced
• modern
• educated
• refined
• new
• newest
• contemporary
• ripe
• current
• now
• latest
• enlightened
• recent
• precocious
• civilized
• grown
• full-scale
• mature
• matured
• aged
• novel
• perfected
• up-to-date
• full-fledged
• present-day
• ripened
• full-blown
• leading-edge
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• cutting-edge
• mod
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• supermodern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backward
• lower
• low
• primitive
• rudimentary
• green
• undeveloped
• rude
• immature
• nonprogressive
• underdeveloped
• undersized
• early
• unripe
• underweight
• savage
• past
• uneducated
• unripened
• uncivilized
• old
• embryonic
• primordial
• primeval
• germinal
• obsolete
• old-fashioned
• antique
• antiquated
• dated
• old-time
• out-of-date
• hoary
• antediluvian
• outworn
• musty
• Neanderthal
• fusty
• oldfangled
• passé

4

as in cautious

having or showing awareness of and preparation for the future

she was forward enough to start investing in her retirement fund at the age of 18

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cautious
• careful
• proactive
• forward-looking
• prescient
• farsighted
• visionary
• foresighted
• provident
• foreseeing
• forethoughtful
• wise
• forehanded
• prudent
• farseeing
• heedful
• insightful
• discerning
• sagacious
• perceptive
• percipient
• sage
• sapient

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortsighted
• myopic
• improvident
• careless
• heedless
• half-cocked
• half-baked
• incautious

forward

3 of 3

verb

as in to encourage

to help the growth or development of

their foundation will help forward better relations between young people from those warring nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encourage
• promote
• cultivate
• foster
• nurture
• further
• advance
• assist
• back
• support
• nourish
• advocate
• nurse
• endorse
• incubate
• aid
• fund
• finance
• uphold
• subsidize
• underwrite
• advertise
• patronize
• work (for)
• champion
• stake
• endow
• boost
• campaign (for)
• publicize
• plug
• abet
• agitate (for)
• tout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• hinder
• discourage
• inhibit
• prohibit
• frustrate
• oppose
• enjoin
• bar
• forbid
• counter
• ban
• fight
• combat
• proscribe
• outlaw
• contend (with)
• interdict
• check
• halt
• suppress
• stifle
• battle
• retard
• repress
• subdue
• impede
• interfere (with)
• arrest
• obstruct
• squelch
• encumber
• squash
• snuff (out)
• hobble
• shackle
• fetter
• manacle

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of forward are advance, further, and promote. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

Where would advance be a reasonable alternative to forward?

The words advance and forward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

When is further a more appropriate choice than forward?

While the synonyms further and forward are close in meaning, further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

When could promote be used to replace forward?

While in some cases nearly identical to forward, promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of forward

Adverb

In a party line vote, committee Republicans pushed forward a bill that seeks to change how the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission studies Medicare Advantage spending. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

The Ducks signed forward Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81-million contract Tuesday night, getting the deal done on the eve of players reporting to training camp. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Straighten one leg at a time in the forward direction, parallel to the floor. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026

Devin Dedier, director of food and beverage at Dedier Family Restaurants, which includes the nine brunch-forward Mimosa House locations, sees a clearer pattern. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

The group of youngsters is led by Celebrini, housemate Will Smith, forwards Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov, and defenseman Sam Dickinson. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

The case is being forwarded to the district attorney's office, which will decide whether to file the charges in court or pursue different ones. — Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing forward

• look forward to
• put forward