forward 1 of 3

1
as in forwards
toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time if you keep walking forward, you'll hit that wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in onwards
toward a point ahead in space or time from this day forward, our two nations will live in peace and harmony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

forward

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
as in front
being at or in the forward part or surface of something the ship's forward deck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

forward

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forward contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of forward are advance, further, and promote. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

Where would advance be a reasonable alternative to forward?

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

While the synonyms further and forward are close in meaning, further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

When could promote be used to replace forward?

While in some cases nearly identical to forward, 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 forward
Adverb
In Worcester, Massachusetts, reforms are already moving forward in response to the Justice Department’s investigation. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025 But Sacramento State knew of the plans to hire a new candidate for months and had approved moving forward with the process, the source said. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The rear portion of a cycling jersey is specifically designed to be slightly longer in order to prevent it from riding up and exposing your back while in a forward riding position. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025 At least there’s some forward momentum, and the whole thing is more entertaining than last week’s extended rideshare excursion. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
The hit-and-run crash investigation was forwarded to the department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives, who followed up on leads. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2025 And for good measure, Maurice opted to have three more key players — forwards Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart along with defenseman Gustav Forsling — sit out Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings to give them a chance to rest. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward
Adverb
  • Players such as Tuch, who emerged as one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL this season, and Zucker, a reliable veteran who gets to the front of the net and plays a no-nonsense game, are vital pieces to a winning team.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The exclusive quartet includes defenseman Jon Merrill and forwards Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Freddy Gaudreau.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The panel did not stray from their earlier guesses for him, throwing out familiar names like Dave Matthews, Daryl Hall, and Pat Monahan of Train once more.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was also a memorandum of agreement about the move signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, according to one source familiar.
    Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The same year, Pope Francis rode around Ecuador in a white Jeep Wrangler, featuring a front glass roof with open sides, allowing the pontiff to easily wave from all sides.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Black drapes were unfurled near the front doors hours after his death.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At times, that can mean there’s reason to be optimistic or perhaps to be cautious about a hot start.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Collins said Republicans also need to be cautious about slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food benefits to low-income families, another budget-cutting target identified by fiscal conservatives.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • To Thomas, the phrase is meant to encourage people to not give up on democracy.
    Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • From 1983 onward, U.K. tax authorities have been obliged to consider whether a sweet was normally eaten straight out of the package using fingers, or by other means like a fork, skewer, or tongs.
    Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The area is home to at least 15 Iron Age ring forts—circular, fortified settlements built up from the fourth century onward.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Christine Brown's 6 Children: All About Her Son and Daughters with Sister Wives Costar and Ex Kody Brown In December 2022, Christine shared a proud mom moment with her followers on Instagram, explaining how Truely stood up to a bully at school who was bothering her friend.
    Karli Bendlin, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The next era focuses on cracking the code for personalization, advanced marketing assets, and empathetic conversational AI. Computational Medicine.
    Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • David Ornstein reports that talks to prolong Lionel Messi’s stint at Inter Miami beyond the expiry of his current contract in December are at an advanced stage.
    Ali Rampling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forward. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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