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
• proud
• arrogant
• smug
• confident
• important
• presuming
• bold
• presumptuous
• selfish
• immodest
• overfamiliar
• free
• vain
• sure
• complacent
• cavalier
• superior
• bumptious
• fresh
• high-hat
• impudent
• disdainful
• sassy
• uppity
• brazen
• high-and-mighty
• conceited
• saucy
• cheeky
• pert
• pompous
• snobbish
• supercilious
• brassy
• domineering
• haughty
• overbold
• cocky
• impertinent
• insolent
• egotistic
• vainglorious
• audacious
• self-important
• self-confident
• self-assertive
• pretentious
• egoistic
• brash
• self-assured
• 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

One standout moment shows the robot stepping down, briefly misplacing its foot, and then subtly repositioning it before continuing forward. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026

The path forward may be more complex than 30-second ads suggest, but the future of weight management has never been more promising. —Tara Comonte, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Their stylish Scandi sensibility inspires the brand’s minimalist-forward designs meant to be worn every day. —Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026

Campbell is a team captain along with senior forward Maddie Winchip and junior guard Catie Wellensiek. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

Verb

Many of the references to publications buried in the files are merely marketing material or articles forwarded to Epstein. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026

The documents also include emails in which Tramo forwarded messages from students seeking research guidance to Epstein. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing forward

• look forward to
• put forward