advance

verb

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ad·vance | \ əd-ˈvan(t)s

advanced; advancing

Definition of advance

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to accelerate the growth or progress of advance a cause

2 : to bring or move forward advance a pawn

3 : to raise to a higher rank was advanced from clerk to assistant manager

4 archaic : to lift up : raise

5 : to bring forward in time especially : to make earlier advance the date of the meeting

6 : to bring forward for notice, consideration, or acceptance : propose advance an idea

7 : to supply or furnish in expectation of repayment advance a loan

8 : to raise in rate : increase advance the rent

intransitive verb

1 : to move forward : proceed an advancing army

2 : to make progress : increase advance in age

3 : to rise in rank, position, or importance advance through the ranks

4 : to rise in rate or price advancing wages

advance

noun

Definition of advance (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a moving forward halted the enemy's advances

2a : progress in development … mistaking material advance for spiritual enrichment.— H. J. Laski

b : a progressive step : improvement an advance in medical technique

3 : a rise in price, value, or amount The workers won wage advances.

4 : a first step or approach made (as to gain favor or form an acquaintance) especially : the act of speaking to someone in an effort to start a sexual relationship —usually plural She rejected his advances. The report alleges that the supervisor repeatedly made unwanted/improper sexual advances towards subordinates.

5 : a provision of something (such as money or goods) before a return is received I need an advance on my salary. also : the money or goods supplied received a $100,000 advance on his new book

in advance

1 : to, toward, or in a place or position ahead sent scouts out in advance

2 : before a deadline or an anticipated event made reservations in advance

in advance of

: ahead of made preparations several days in advance of her arrival

advance

adjective

Definition of advance (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : made, sent, or furnished ahead of time advance sales

2 : going or situated before an advance party of soldiers

Other Words from advance Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about advance

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Synonyms & Antonyms for advance

Synonyms: Verb

lend,
loan

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Verb

borrow

Antonyms: Noun

Choose the Right Synonym for advance

Verb

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end. advance the cause of peace promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank. a campaign to promote better health forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead. a wage increase would forward productivity further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance. used the marriage to further his career

Examples of advance in a Sentence

Verb The car advanced slowly down the street. The sun slowly advanced across the sky. She opened the door and advanced cautiously into the room. advance the hands of a clock The film is advanced by an electric motor. The team advanced the ball steadily down the field. Our understanding of this disease has advanced rapidly in recent years. The team did not advance beyond the first round of the play-offs. The company tries to keep up with advancing technology. As he advanced in age and stature he advanced in knowledge. Noun trying to halt the enemy's advance trying to halt the enemy's advances a big advance in technology The new system represents a considerable advance over the old one. There have been few advances made in the treatment of this disease. There has been little advance made in the treatment of this disease. The workers won wage advances. a yearlong advance in stock prices Adjective an advance copy of a new book

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The narrow House majority and the 50-50 Senate, which Democrats control with Vice President Kamala Harris' tiebreaking vote, have forced leaders to attain near-unanimous support from the party's lawmakers to advance legislation. — Alan Fram, Star Tribune, "Louisiana congresswoman takes office, replacing late husband," 14 Apr. 2021 The companies pledged to work together to strengthen the EV battery supply chain in the U.S. and support the Biden administration’s efforts to advance clean energy policies, including electric vehicles. — Anchorage Daily News, "Biden sees ‘win’ for US in electric vehicle battery deal," 12 Apr. 2021 The companies pledged to work together to strengthen the EV battery supply chain in the U.S. and support the Biden administration's efforts to advance clean energy policies, including electric vehicles. — Matthew Daly And Tom Krisher, Detroit Free Press, "Ford, Volkswagen avoid supply disruption after EV battery makers resolve trade dispute," 11 Apr. 2021 The partnership, announced Wednesday (7) is the latest move of the Rio de Janeiro-headquartered firm to advance its digital transformation strategy and create new business opportunities through technology. — Angelica Mari, Forbes, "Brazil Tech Round-Up: National AI Plan, Mexican Unicorn Kavak Readies Brazil Launch, Media Giant Globo Partners With Google Cloud," 10 Apr. 2021 Amazon already provides good benefits, relatively high pay that starts at $15 an hour and opportunities to advance, said the couple, who have five children. — New York Times, "Amazon Workers Vote Down Union Drive at Alabama Warehouse," 9 Apr. 2021 Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the aid reflected the U.S. commitment to advance prosperity and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, and a two-state solution. — Jessica Donati, WSJ, "Biden Administration to Restore Aid to Palestinians," 7 Apr. 2021 The opinion increases the number of ways Democrats can advance their agenda, like President Joe Biden's sweeping $2 trillion infrastructure plan. — Savannah Behrmann, USA TODAY, "Senate official gives Democrats tool to bypass filibuster on certain bills. Here's what it means.," 6 Apr. 2021 The White House plan is part of an effort by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to advance racial equity alongside work on the environment and safety. — Washington Post, "A woman called for a highway’s removal in a Black neighborhood. The White House singled it out in its infrastructure plan.," 1 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun These teams last met in the tournament in 2017 when the Wildcats rallied from a 2-0 set deficit to win the last three and advance in the five-set thriller in Lexington. — Dominique Yates, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky to meet Western Kentucky in the Sweet 16; Morehead State's season ends," 16 Apr. 2021 The Wolverines trailed 2-0 to Grapevine in the state semifinal on Tuesday, but came back to win 3-2 and advance to the state title game. — Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, "Title loss proved ‘soccer is a cruel game’, but Frisco Wakeland’s coach believes there’s a silver lining for his team’s season," 16 Apr. 2021 The top four teams — two from the afternoon, two from the evening — advance, and champions were to be crowned in each individual event Friday night. — Nick Kelly, Star Tribune, "Gophers women gymnasts are shut out at NCAA meet," 16 Apr. 2021 In advance of the WTO General Council meeting next month, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has been meeting with both drugmakers and waiver advocates. — Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, "Let Other Countries Copy the Covid Vaccines," 15 Apr. 2021 Agree in advance with the pilot’s leadership team what success looks like. — Forrester, Forbes, "Four Steps To Overcome The Audience-Centric Transformation Paradox," 15 Apr. 2021 In a conference call, David Petraeus, former commanding general of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, doubted the Biden administration’s ability to check the Taliban’s advance without a troop presence in the country. — Washington Post, "Afghanistan became the graveyard of American hubris," 14 Apr. 2021 That means new advance monthly payments of as much as $300 per child could begin flowing to lower-income families this summer. — Marcy Gordon, chicagotribune.com, "Millions of US parents soon can get monthly checks of up to $300 per child. Here’s when the IRS will start sending payments.," 13 Apr. 2021 This is part of Global Citizen's year-long 2021 Recovery Plan for the World, a campaign and series of events that aims to help end COVID-19, end the hunger crisis, resume learning everywhere, protect the planet, and advance equity for all. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Selena Gomez to host Vax Live concert featuring Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, and more," 13 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Without much domestic manufacturing capacity to speak of, Canada had to sign advance-purchase deals with international vaccine companies. — Tracey Lindeman, The Atlantic, "What Went Wrong With Canada’s Vaccine Rollout?," 6 Apr. 2021 This special treat is included with advance purchase of general admission tickets and happens every Saturday through Dec. 19. — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, "Top 5 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Dec. 4-6," 5 Apr. 2021 Some schools serve as community centers, others have restoration projects underway with the support of grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation while others are without champions and in advance stages of disrepair. — Michael J. Solender, Smithsonian Magazine, "Photographer Andrew Feiler documented how the educational institutions shaped a generation of black leaders," 30 Mar. 2021 Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. — NBC News, "Covid travel tracker: Which countries are allowing visitors from the U.S.?," 29 Mar. 2021 For the Maryland men’s lacrosse team’s remaining home games April 3 and 18, reserved tickets will be placed on sale, with advance priority going to Terrapin Club members, who can purchase on March 29 and 30. — Daniel Oyefusi, baltimoresun.com, "University of Maryland athletics to allow limited fan attendance for spring sports," 29 Mar. 2021 Laura Hancock reports this funding is an advance payment for costs to establish the community vaccination site on the Cleveland State campus. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, "Home sales show some stabilization – but that doesn’t mean demand has dropped: The Wake Up for Wednesday, March 24, 2021," 24 Mar. 2021 Sumter will also receive an advance pension payment of $384,000 and resign from OFD April 1, retiring as assistant chief after serving with the agency for 25 years, Holsten said. — Katie Rice, orlandosentinel.com, "City of Orlando to pay nearly $1 million to female assistant fire chief who sued for sexual harassment, discrimination," 23 Mar. 2021 These payments are technically an advance payment of a 2021 tax credit. — Washington Post, "You may be able to use your prepaid debit card to pay your rent.," 23 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'advance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for advance

Verb

Middle English advauncen, alteration (with initial a- taken as assimilated form of Latin ad- ad-) of avauncen, borrowed from Anglo-French avancer, going back to Vulgar Latin *abantiāre, verbal derivative of Latin abante "before, in front," from ab- ab- + ante "before" — more at ante-