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 As someone who was just promoted to Registrar six months ago, Cornejo said this election felt pretty personal. — John Ramos, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 Huff told Atlanta Magazine the physical practice can also promote better circulation, balance and emotional regulation. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 Parks Project has donated more than $14,000 to Friends of Acadia, the nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting stewardship of the park and its surrounding communities. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026 Her campaign emphasized recruiting and retaining quality teachers, improving communication and promoting school safety. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for promote

Verb

The verdict St Vincent possesses an unexplored, get-away-from-it-all tranquillity that many more boisterous Caribbean islands would sell their last rum punch for.

— James Rampton, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
The three suspects — two Greeks and one Albanian national — are accused of removing piping from the building’s gas supply network to sell the copper as scrap, causing a major gas leak.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sell

Verb

The victory denies Abbott a fourth term and elevates an Austin state representative who built her campaign around public education, household costs and criticism of the state's Republican leadership.

— Blaise Gainey, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The election also elevates a number of state and gubernatorial candidates who made stricter regulation of data centers a key part of their campaigns.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The company said the release is intended to encourage other researchers to build on the work and improve the technology.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Both campaigns remain publicly confident, though neither has publicized any internal polling.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
The Wildcats football team built some buzz in the last year with the stadium opening, big-name staff hirings and transfers and publicized financial commitments.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of publicize

Verb

Evers said Crowley also played a large role in negotiations on a $500 million deal to upgrade the baseball stadium where the Milwaukee Brewers play and to keep the team in the city through 2050.

— Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Early results indicate that the four-college district may soon have the money to repair roofs, modernize classrooms, upgrade heating and cooling systems, improve security and construct new buildings.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of upgrade

Verb

These dioramas are a snapshot in time that allow children to cultivate their own imagination and passions.

— Lili Mei Granda Argianas, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
She is credited with leading a period of substantial business growth and innovation, and cultivating relationships with customers, which will all be important for Bergdorf’s heading into the future.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

That changed on Sunday against the Patriots as Robinson produced two sacks against Drake Maye, adding to his season total of four sacks.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
These structures form a mesh-like network that immobilizes the kerosene, producing a material with liquid and solid-like properties.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of produce

Browse Nearby Words

promos

promote

promoted

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Style

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

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Synonyms of promote

verb

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