Synonyms of advance

advance 1 of 3

verb

əd-ˈvan(t)s 

1

as in to lend

to give to another for temporary use with the understanding that it or a like thing will be returned

advanced her some cash with the understanding that the amount would be deducted from her first paycheck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lend
• give
• loan
• furnish
• grant
• rent
• let
• lease

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take
• receive
• borrow

2

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of

great thinkers who did much to advance modern science

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to progress

to move forward along a course

as the technology advances, electronic devices keep getting smaller and smarter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• progress
• proceed
• do
• march
• come
• go
• forge
• get along
• go along
• come along
• pace
• go off
• fare
• get on
• accelerate
• speed
• gain ground
• approach
• push
• travel
• drive
• propel
• repair
• near
• pass
• journey
• actuate
• impel
• fast-forward
• run
• take out
• wend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• remain
• stay
• stop
• stand
• hinder
• impede
• check
• halt
• obstruct
• delay
• arrest
• stem
• slow (down or up)
• retard
• block
• suppress
• hold back
• detain
• interrupt
• inhibit
• repress
• hamper
• balk
• cease
• stall
• wait
• stunt
• pause
• nip
• cramp
• let up
• regress

4

as in to elevate

to move higher in rank or position

within six months was advanced to the position of head waiter, to the dismay of the waiters who had been there much longer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promote
• elevate
• upgrade
• forward
• improve
• further
• raise
• kick upstairs
• heighten
• uplift
• lift
• boost
• aggrandize
• honor
• celebrate
• commend
• compliment
• congratulate
• knight
• commission
• applaud
• ennoble
• cite
• acclaim
• decorate
• salute
• exalt
• praise
• laud
• extol
• hail
• eulogize
• glorify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• degrade
• lower
• remove
• downgrade
• overthrow
• dismiss
• impeach
• expel
• oust
• unseat
• depose
• humble
• shame
• take down
• dishonor
• humiliate
• demote
• abase
• disgrace
• demean
• dethrone
• condemn
• denounce
• unmake
• damn
• censure
• mortify
• reprobate

5

as in to suggest

to set before the mind for consideration

let me explain my reasons for advancing this proposal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suggest
• propose
• offer
• pose
• recommend
• vote
• put forward
• present
• put forth
• propound
• bounce
• proffer
• submit
• nominate
• plan
• move
• file
• arrange
• shape
• plot
• tender
• trot out
• chart
• calculate
• map
• lodge
• lay
• contrive
• cover
• frame

6

as in to approach

to move closer to

advanced cautiously toward the snarling dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approach
• come
• enter
• near
• nigh
• drop in
• pop (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• go
• withdraw
• leave
• retreat
• depart
• recede (from)
• exit

advance

2 of 3

noun

1

as in progress

forward movement in time or place

during her long convalescence, the housebound woman was barely aware of the advance of the seasons

Synonyms & Similar Words

• progress
• advancement
• process
• progression
• procession
• going
• march
• furtherance
• headway
• flow
• passage
• coming
• leap
• onrush
• approach
• stream
• arrival
• current
• way
• drift
• advent
• step
• flux
• jump
• nearing
• impetus
• momentum
• bound
• stride

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retreat
• regression
• retrogression
• regress
• recession
• return
• recess
• ebb
• reverse
• reversal
• retraction
• reflux
• turnaround
• backwash
• turnabout
• about-face

2

as in improvement

an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill

under her new teacher, the aspiring violinist has made noticeable advances in her technique in just a few weeks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improvement
• advancement
• breakthrough
• development
• enhancement
• innovation
• discovery
• refinement
• increase
• evolution
• strengthening
• maturation
• betterment
• education
• growth
• upturn
• amelioration
• find
• upswing
• enlightenment
• ripening
• expansion
• civilization
• quantum leap
• elaboration
• boost
• uplift
• revival
• gestation
• edification
• upgrade
• renaissance
• heightening
• melioration
• perfection
• windfall
• uptrend
• renascence
• invention

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• setback
• breakdown
• collapse
• reduction
• crash
• decrease
• impediment
• hindrance
• failing
• decline
• deterioration
• lapse
• stumbling block
• weakening
• decay
• degeneration
• sinking
• worsening
• slowing
• lessening
• detriment
• descent
• decadence
• downgrade
• impairment
• shortcoming
• drawback
• declension
• glitch
• diminishment
• flagging
• disablement
• languishment
• ebbing

advance

3 of 3

adjective

as in early

Related Words

• early
• premature
• previous
• prior
• preceding
• initial
• precedent
• earliest
• pioneer
• antecedent
• foregoing
• preliminary
• anterior
• first
• former
• inaugural
• preexisting
• original
• maiden
• introductory
• erstwhile
• whilom

Dissimilar Words

• subsequent
• following
• later
• succeeding
• ensuing
• advanced
• after
• posterior
• late
• final
• last
• latter
• latest
• ultimate
• concluding
• terminal
• closing

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb advance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of advance are forward, further, and promote. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use forward instead of advance?

While in some cases nearly identical to advance, forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

When would further be a good substitute for advance?

The synonyms further and advance are sometimes interchangeable, but further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

When can promote be used instead of advance?

The words promote and advance can be used in similar contexts, but 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 advance

Verb

But his administration has also reduced federal resources for mental health and substance use services, cutting staffers last year at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and ending numerous grants to advance research on prevention efforts. —Andrew Jones, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026

When the Legislature advanced its own congressional map during the last cycle, it was rejected. —Dan Daley, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

The strike was coordinated in advance with the US, an Israeli source told CNN. —Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 6 May 2026

The results represent an extraordinary advance in treating pancreatic cancer. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 May 2026

Adjective

Flagg didn’t get advance notice of his win, with the Maine native having to find out via television. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

The operation, owned by Ben Agresta, reportedly sold a substantial number of advance VIP tickets at $49 apiece. —Ryan Brennan april 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing advance

• in advance
• in advance of