promote

verb

pro·mote prə-ˈmōt

promoted; promoting

transitive verb

: to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise

: to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank

: to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade

: to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further

promote international understanding

: to help bring (something, such as an enterprise) into being : launch

: to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting

slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity

promotability

prə-ˌmō-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

promotable

prə-ˈmō-tə-bəl

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for promote

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

Example Sentences

He was promoted to senior editor. The army major was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The team have been promoted to the First Division. Mediators were present to promote dialogue. Good soil promotes plant growth. The school distributed pamphlets promoting good dental hygiene. The marketing department is busy promoting the new line of men's clothes for fall. The island is being promoted as a destination for romantic getaways. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Despite his jibes about fake news, Musk needs such sources to stay on the platform and promote their work.

Scott Nover, Quartz, 1 Nov. 2022 Leaders of the state GOP filed one of many fruitless lawsuits aimed at overturning the election, and two of Arizona’s Republican congressmen helped promote the rally that ended in the attack on Congress.

Columnist Follow, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2022 Together these compounds combat irritation, hydrate the skin, and promote healing.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Oct. 2022 The holiday grew to embody the morals that Americans wanted to uphold and promote through an annual meal of gratefulness and plenty.

Leah Hall, Country Living, 31 Oct. 2022 Commissioner Adam Silver has gone on record about concerns, going as far as to offer off-the-cuff comments about soccer-style relegation, as if the NBA ever would/could promote the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Fort Wayne Mad Ants or Lakeland Magic.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2022 Who would be willing to book or promote his shows after this, and would a music festival invite him to play?

Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2022 In recent months, senior officials have gone on overseas trips to build ties and promote the opportunities offered by Hong Kong.

Elaine Yu, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2022 The Florida Agritourism Association, which helps farmers establish and promote their tourism businesses, has seen an uptick in members over the past five years or so, Executive Director Lena Juarez said.

Katie Rice, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2022 See More

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