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 solution lies in leaders actively protecting, promoting, and empowering these uncomfortable but accurate voices, modeling self-indictment to foster genuine institutional courage. — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The brand recently earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for its inaugural Craft Roundtables series, and Lynne Howard was recently promoted to senior vice president of operations, reporting to James Israel. — William Earl, Variety, 31 July 2026 The Tigers expected to promote him at some point this season. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 31 July 2026 In order to promote deeper attachment between Israel and diaspora Jews, both the government and religious organizations are reinforcing exchange programs. — Giovanna Dell'orto, Fortune, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for promote

Recent Examples of Synonyms for promote

Verb

Terminal 26, a new restaurant in Ponce City Market’s central food hall, is inspired by Thailand’s famous floating markets, where goods are sold from boats and riverbank stalls.

— Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
The purchase set the record for the most expensive home ever sold in Miami-Dade County.

— Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of sell

Verb

Your sleeping position is also important; for example, for those who can manage it, sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated is a excellent for your skin, and helps prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes.

— Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 29 July 2026
This luggage customization kit includes two comfort handle grips, six zipper pullers, a carry pouch, and an ID tag, all designed to elevate your current suitcase.

— Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.

— Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Michigan relies on supply chains that are heavily integrated with Canada after decades of policies that encouraged reducing bilateral trade barriers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of grow

Verb

Although many social media influencers have publicized severe side effects from vaccines, side effects are overwhelmingly mild.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The story publicizing the divorce ran three weeks after Holscher sent the message discouraging interference in the primary.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of publicize

Verb

And so Monaghan’s Saloon was born in 1892 in a wooden building, which was upgraded in 1901 to the brick structure the bar and grill currently calls home.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026
Anne-Laure Bismuth, head of consumer luxury and sporting goods at HSBC, said Kering is moving into the right direction, and upgraded its stock to buy.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of upgrade

Verb

Leaders must cultivate environments where staff feel valued and heard, connecting them to purpose.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The couple and their families aside, wedding guests too feel the need to cultivate the perfect wardrobe, spending on several new pieces every season.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central to the western Gulf Coast from western Florida to southern Texas.

— MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
The sheriff's office said ballistic testing performed with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later produced forensic evidence linking the two murders.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of produce

Browse Nearby Words

promos

promote

promoted

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“Promote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/promote. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of promote

verb

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