Definition of advancenext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
6
as in to approach
to move closer to advanced cautiously toward the snarling dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

advance

2 of 3

noun

1
2

advance

3 of 3

adjective

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of advance
Verb
Connecticut advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, where it was swept by the Detroit Shock, coached by Bill Laimbeer, who became Thibault’s nemesis. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 Meta has been working on advancing artificial intelligence efforts for more than a decade. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
Luckily, there have been technological advances in the form of absorbable mesh that can assist where the skin might not be able to. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Sep. 2026 The big addition to the rally on Tuesday is a 2% advance in memory stocks tracked by the Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM). — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The survey was, however, conducted before the release of June's advance economic indicators report, which showed a moderate contraction in the goods trade deficit and retail inventories unchanged. — Lucia Mutikani, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Signatories say those models help expand innovation, improve cybersecurity and keep American AI development competitive as Chinese rivals rapidly advance. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for advance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for advance
Verb
  • Lange, bless her, lends some stability to this narratively shaky material through her performance, effectively conveying a mix of vulnerability and grit as Constance.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Lines at Russian gas stations, crippled refineries, and images of burning oil depots blackening the sky lent credence to the narrative, as did blackouts and fuel shortages in Crimea.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Through rules that promote cross-border data flows, regional commerce, and harmonized cybersecurity standards, DEFA will help ASEAN embrace the modern-day digital economy.
    — Jon M. Huntsman, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • If dozens of countries are promoting electric vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and electrification in general, that can help in the fight against climate change, Jackson added.
    — Jennifer McDermott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • According to witnesses and emergency dispatch audio, the parents, Nate Geminiano and Karollyn Zepeda, were caught in a backup while trying to get to the hospital when labor progressed faster than expected.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Mahomes also went right, progressed through his reads and found Royals in the back of the end zone.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Go Green tours allow passengers to learn the ways local communities and industries endeavor to conserve, sustain, and elevate their environments.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Those themes may not dominate her lyrical approach, but their presence provides a headier energy that grounds the album and elevates it a few steps above merely a consistent Afropop LP.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Other analyses suggest about 40 percent of amateur athletes playing contact sports show brain changes that are characteristic of CTE, too.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This suggests that even a relatively small submarine caldera could endanger nearby coasts, depending on the nature and speed of its collapse.
    — Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states with error rates of 6% or higher must start paying a share of their residents’ food assistance in October 2027, a bill that for Florida could approach $1 billion a year.
    — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The orbiter's science orbit circled Mars on an extreme path, approaching as close as 227 miles (365 kilometers) and extending as far out as 49,710 miles (80,000 km).
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And politicians began debating whether legislation is needed to rein in an industry that is racing against China and expected to drive enormous profits and technological advancements.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Some analysts warn of a pathway called recursive self-improvement, in which AI becomes increasingly effective at training itself, eliciting a cycle of rapid advancement.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Updating the existing fleet RTX revealed that operators of existing GTF engines will also have access to some of the durability improvements.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • For many healthcare systems, the next meaningful technology improvement may come from making better use of what’s already there rather than adding another tool.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Advance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/advance. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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