Definition of furthernext
1
as in farther
at or to a greater distance or more advanced point go further along this road and you'll see the sign for the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2

further

2 of 3

adjective

further

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb further contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of further are advance, forward, and promote. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

In what contexts can advance take the place of further?

The words advance and further 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 forward a more appropriate choice than further?

The synonyms forward and further are sometimes interchangeable, but forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

When might promote be a better fit than further?

While the synonyms promote and further are close in meaning, 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 further
Adverb
For statistical confirmation, look no further than a global survey that my company did of 2,000 CEOs. — Sanjay Brahmawar, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2023 For those who want a remote getaway with breathtaking beauty, look no further than this archipelago province of the Philippines. — Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 1 Feb. 2023
Adjective
The official causes of death for both were deferred, pending further investigation. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Bryan reportedly did not address the shirt or comment further onstage about Palestine. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
In 2011, to further this, MacAskill launched 80,000 Hours, a career-advice project steering talented people toward high-impact work. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 In England, for instance, an agriculture subsidy reform has furthered environmental stewardship by giving financial incentives for protecting soil health and other important biodiversity efforts. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for further
Recent Examples of Synonyms for further
Adverb
  • However, if temperatures fall farther than expected the amounts could increase, forecasters added.
    — Leigh Morgan, al, 11 Feb. 2023
  • The air and pressure distortions can be a bane to airplane pilots, who sometimes feel their planes gliding along farther than intended during landing.
    — Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2023
Adverb
  • There’s also little hope that a Democratic majority would confirm a Supreme Court nominee — should a vacancy arise — after then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s blockade of Merrick Garland during the Obama years.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • For years, hospitals have been buying and building outpatient centers, and then funneling more care to them.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The polling punctuates widespread Democratic warnings about Trump laying the groundwork for interfering in the midterm elections by asserting more control over mail-in voting and dispatching Justice Department monitors to polling places.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The increase in online sports betting has worsened mental health problems in younger men, leading to more hospital visits as a result.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Partnership is the guiding motif of the World Soundtrack Awards’ Film Music Days, where live performances will give cult films bold new scores and industry mixers encourage emerging composers and filmmakers to find their creative match.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The breakthrough came after Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged Figure to melt the robots.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The public health agency also said no biological safety breaches or laboratory accidents occurred at the facility.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Over time, these follower nations also become too expensive for manufacturing, and so factories shift to nations even further along the frontier.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Janelle King, one of four Republicans on the five-member board, said during a meeting Thursday that such a requirement would impose new burdens on county election officials, including possibly having to hire additional poll workers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Production capacity takes focus Meeting that demand will require more than securing additional orders.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Inspired by his legacy, cofounders George and Amal Clooney created the Albies to ensure that the people doing the hardest work to promote justice — often far from the spotlight — are seen, heard and protected.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Around two dozen states have enacted some version of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which has been heavily promoted at the state and federal level by the AKA.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Curated by Our Editors The problems don’t end once everything is up there, either.
    — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Nobody got lucky in the grandest way with the Florida Lotto or Fantasy 5 midday draws, either.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Further.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/further. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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