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

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 The platform has featured traditional adverts for bets, but CazéTV’s commentators have also promoted betting during the games, blending advertising with commentary of the action on the pitch. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The company threw a lavish caviar party at Cannes and in May hosted panels promoting its cinematic tool at Amazon’s AI on the Lot event in Culver City. — Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Since Musk, the world’s richest person, took over X (then Twitter) in 2022 in a $44B deal, the site has come under constant criticism for promoting extremist content and misinformation. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 July 2026 She was promoted to city clerk in 2008 and has remained in the position during the final years of Mayor Pat McCrory’s administration and throughout former Mayor Vi Lyles’ tenure, which ended this week. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for promote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for promote

Verb

Throughout the World Cup, videos have emerged on Instagram and TikTok of StubHub customers describing their nightmare experiences with the ticket-selling platform.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
The company sells in 90 countries, up from 70 in 2021, and has deepened its presence in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of sell

Verb

Morocco are already Africa’s history makers, but one more win would elevate them beyond the continental lens they’ve been viewed through up until now.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Here, two interior design experts share their go-to tricks for elevating your bathroom without overspending.

— Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

The iconic fast food company has grown beyond its California roots in recent years, opening locations in Colorado, Texas, Idaho, and as far east as Tennessee.

— James Powel, USA Today, 7 July 2026
And a growing body of research suggests that one of the simplest ways to help isn’t more space or more exercise.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

Typically, finds are not publicized before they’re once again buried under new construction, though reports are filed with public authorities.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
While this provides regulatory certainty for companies, the more pressing, yet less publicized, issue is interconnection.

— Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of publicize

Verb

Depending on your home, circumstances, and existing HVAC setup, this may involve adding a wireless temperature sensor upstairs or upgrading HVAC systems.

— Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
All 182 guest rooms were given a fresh coat of dusty rose paint, new custom carpet, furniture and upgraded bathrooms.

— Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of upgrade

Verb

But the star has cultivated a loyal collective of her favorite brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney and Area (recall her famous Super Bowl jeans).

— Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The one-person filmmaker averages 3 million views per episode and has cultivated a YouTube audience of 500,000.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Nevertheless, there are several measures that gardeners can take to keep themselves, their children, plants and produce safe from potentially harmful contaminants stemming from the fire.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Instead of producing energy from heat, as with the radiothermal generators found on deep-space probes like Voyager 2, the NanoTritium system generates electricity directly.

— David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026

Definition of produce

Browse Nearby Words

promos

promote

promoted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Promote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promote. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of promote

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on promote

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes