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
The legal advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that both lawsuits are moving forward and that there are scenarios for any type of outcome. Belen Zapata, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025 The comedian-turned-filmmaker is looking forward to seeing the reaction of Scottish audiences to his film and to gauging how well his story translates and travels. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Now, Handler is looking back on the aftermath of the forward gesture. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 During that mission, the company sought to test significant upgrades to Starship, including new forward flaps and larger propellant tanks. Bradley Iger, Ars Technica, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
Coit launched a high, deep lob to forward KJ Adams, who flushed home a thunderous dunk on the other end to give KU a 33-19 advantage right before halftime. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025 Under new Maryland juvenile justice laws, crimes of violence, including robberies and carjackings, should automatically be forwarded to state’s attorney’s offices. Keith Daniels, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward
Adverb
  • Meanwhile, forwards Nick Foligno (back) and Philipp Kurashev (hand) sat out practice Friday and are day to day.
    Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The Avs had nine forwards collect at least one point against the Devils.
    Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighborhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.
    The Glamour editors, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Whatever the club’s reasoning, there was something familiar and troubling about this disappointing deadline paralysis.
    Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sarah Burton is also preparing to unveil her first Givenchy collection, and Matthieu Blazy will give a breathless industry their first look at his vision for Chanel. See all of the celebrity fashion fans taking up their spot on the front rows in Paris, below.
    Olivia Allen, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The British supermodel later popped up on the front row at Dolce & Gabbana, where designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana opened the doors of their HQ and had models walk straight off the runway out onto a makeshift catwalk on the street.
    Scarlett Conlon, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But just as smartphones and the internet are powerful tools to broaden their horizons, parents and caregivers are right to be cautious about exactly what their teens are posting on the day-to-day.
    Ella Cerón, Parents, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The market remains cautious about suggesting any change could come soon.
    Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But the internet encourages the transformation of antipathy into creative fodder, and enables its dissemination.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Nope, although Google does encourage all users to switch from passwords and traditional 2FA to the use of passkeys, of course.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who probably bet his career on trading Dončić, was at the game from pregame warmups onward.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
  • From 1815 onward, a Romantic form of nationalism that imagined the nation as a cultural homeland took deep roots in German-speaking parts of Europe.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Angie Stone was proud to be an Honorary Member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Pérez feels Chicagoans should be proud that their city will host the North American premiere of this production.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For the past several months, large tech companies invested heavily in data centers, spending billions to compete with each other in the race to develop the most advanced artificial intelligence products.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
  • President Donald Trump’s dramatic surprise announcement giving priority to an advanced missile defense to protect the United States continues to generate debate.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forward. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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