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

This exceeds the city manager’s authority to move temporary shelter projects forward without council approval, risking a vote that could stop the project altogether. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Morehouse School of Medicine and Atrium Health have received state approval to move forward with the hospital planned for 675 Metropolitan Parkway SW. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Then, unmistakably, forward movement, the car pulling itself back to life. — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Rodrigo De Paul returns to the midfield after serving his suspension for yellow card accumulation and forward German Berterame finally will be available after missing six games while on concussion protocol. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Shortly after Lyons' email, Charles forwarded the message to a group of officials whose names are redacted. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Tillman reported the harassment to the department’s chief of detention, and her complaints were forwarded to the office of professional compliance for investigation, court records say. — Amber Gaudet updated August 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing forward

• look forward to
• put forward