PROMOTE Synonyms: 180 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'promote' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of promote are advance , forward , and further . While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank. // a campaign to promote better health

Q: When might 'advance' be a better fit than 'promote'?

Although the words advance and promote have much in common, advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end. // advance the cause of peace

Q: When is it sensible to use 'forward' instead of 'promote'?

While the synonyms forward and promote are close in meaning, forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead. // a wage increase would forward productivity

Q: When would 'further' be a good substitute for 'promote'?

The synonyms further and promote are sometimes interchangeable, but further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance. // used the marriage to further his career

promote

verb

prə-ˈmōt

Definition of promote next

as in to sell

to provide publicity for promoting a new line of toys based on the popular movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to elevate

to move higher in rank or position the navy promoted her to captain for her record of outstanding performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to encourage

to help the growth or development of a campaign promoting good dental hygiene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grow

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care spends all her time now promoting her new business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promote contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of promote are advance, forward, and further. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

When might advance be a better fit than promote?

Although the words advance and promote have much in common, 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 promote?

While the synonyms forward and promote are close in meaning, forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

When would further be a good substitute for promote?

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

used the marriage to further his career

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 promote San Francisco hasn’t made the bold move to promote a prospect straight from Double-A Richmond since Bobby Evans was running the show, when the team promoted infielder Miguel Gomez and pitcher Dan Slania in 2017. —

Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 YouTube has long seen the importance of promoting professionalism among its original content. —

Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 Ortberg brings the right stuff as a seasoned engineer who features a history of promoting smooth labor relations. —

Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 June 2026 He was promoted as manager from Real Madrid’s reserve team to replace Alonso. —

Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for promote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for promote

Verb

In 2010, the property was sold to a local investment group led by Jeff Jacobs, along with help from Doug Carlson, co-founder and CEO of Fiji Water, and real estate developer Jeffrey Essakow.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Olmo was then only able to play the second half of that campaign due to Spanish government intervention, after La Liga questioned Barca’s initial plan to raise money by selling future VIP seat revenues at the Camp Nou while the seats had not been built.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 1 June 2026

Definition of sell

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promos

promote

promoted

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“Promote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promote. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of promote

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