forward 1 of 3

adverb

Definition of forwardnext
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 onward
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

ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce forward (audio)
1
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty a stranger so forward as to ask what medication he was taking and what it was for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in higher
being far along in development the local citizenry's attitude toward racial equality was very forward for its time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cautious
having or showing awareness of and preparation for the future she was forward enough to start investing in her retirement fund at the age of 18

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

forward

3 of 3

verb

as in to encourage
to help the growth or development of their foundation will help forward better relations between young people from those warring nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Warsh’s signature move as chairman has been to strip out forward guidance so that markets can price the economy as opposed to just parroting the Fed. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 July 2026 The season has also exposed more of the bad behavior from Danny that Caperna had been calling out, not to mention Doute’s staunch refusal to make peace and move forward. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Adjective
Bent-over rows may be especially helpful for counteracting the forward head and rounded shoulder positioning that can result from frequent cell phone use. — Danielle Zickl, Health, 27 July 2026 Lastly, Whyatt thinks that Anheuser-Busch's valuation is too high, at just over 18 times forward earnings, above that of competitors Heineken and Carlsberg . — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Verb
All three cases were forwarded to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Law Enforcement and the Fish and Wildlife Office of Law Enforcement, SR3 told KOMO. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Those discs are intended to forward high-profile promotional campaigns, not to preserve rare pieces of modern media. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for forward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward
  1. forwards
  2. onward
  3. familiar
  4. front
  5. advanced
  6. cautious
  7. encourage
  8. along
Adverb
  • Starting forwards Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sustained serious knee injuries earlier this year, and are expected to be out most of next season.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
  • By braking the inside wheels while driving the outside wheels forwards, the system allows the SUV to rotate through 360 degrees on the spot.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of forwards
Adverb
  • From 2022 onward, Lozano has held multiple central office roles, including chief of staff, executive director of professional standards and labor relations, executive director for behavioral threat assessments and chief safety and security officer.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • As the war to capture the Iron Throne rages on, Criston marches onward with his men, including Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), to put a stop to the Rivermen reaching King’s Landing and aiding Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy).
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • Children grow up without the network of neighboors, relatives and familiar adults that used to make a place feel safe.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Drawing inspiration from the classic old fashioned cocktail, this fruit-forward IPA delivers familiar flavors in a delightfully different form.
    — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Because the lake lies just beyond the windows, diners get a front-row seat to the ever-changing colors of the sky at sunset.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • The Broncos, now, will reduce the bill on an expensive front five, as the club has invested considerably into preserving offensive-line continuity in front of third-year quarterback Bo Nix.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 July 2026
Definition of front
Adjective
  • SpaceX’s mammoth Starship rocket blasted off Friday on another test flight stretching halfway around the world, this time releasing 20 of the most advanced Starlinks.
    — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • The iPhone 18 Pro will also be the exclusive gateway to the full suite of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features, as iOS 27's advanced capabilities require 12GB of RAM.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • Thanks to persistent inflation, the soaring cost of living, and AI making employers cautious about hiring (and everyday people cautious of spending), entry-level part-time jobs like lifeguarding and retail assistants are disappearing.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Some are more cautious about buying nonessentials like takeout coffee.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of cautious
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
Adverb
  • The little worker with the broom came by, passed them, moved right along.
    — Sheila Heti, New Yorker, 26 July 2026
  • Every now and then, a game preview drags you along on a nostalgia trip at lightspeed.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of along

Phrases Containing forward

Browse Nearby Words

forums
forward
forwarded
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Cite this Entry

“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forward. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forward

Nglish: Translation of forward for Spanish Speakers

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