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 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

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

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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
Not many artists have found their way forward during an earthquake. — Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025 Fishman said Marquee prides itself on collecting extensive data on its brand and will use the information gathered there to determine the best path forward. — Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Meanwhile, George Mason defeated No. 7 seed 80-65 before beating No. 6 seed Saint Joseph's 74-64 with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists from forward Jalen Haynes. — Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 After standard leak checks and umbilical connections, the crew opened the Dragon's forward hatch at 1:35 a.m. and floated into the space station. — William Harwood, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
What To Know According to The Washington Post, in its email on Wednesday canceling the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting, the FDA told recipients not to forward the message and advised them not to answer questions from the media. — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Takeaways Illinois: Hampered recently by illnesses and an injury to forward Morez Johnson Jr., the Fighting Illini have faded following a 12-3 start. — Mike Fitzpatrick, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward
  1. forwards
  2. familiar
  3. front
  4. cautious
  5. encourage
  6. onward
  7. proud
  8. advanced
Adverb
  • The Spirit signed two forwards and a midfielder who played on the collegiate level on short-term deals to help cover the losses from injury this season.
    — Doha Madani, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Moose led the 2021-22 Cup champs in regular season scoring and led all Avs forwards in postseason points.
    — Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of forwards
Adjective
  • The perfumed notes are calibrated and restrained so that the blossoms underpin more familiar flavors like punchy, piney juniper and juicy pomelo peel.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And the reopened Frick, with its familiar art back in place and some significant new features added — notably an entire second floor of family rooms repurposed as intimate galleries — feels organic in that way.
    — Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • There’s also a charming front porch that’s spacious enough for a few chairs and a planter.
    — Toni Sutton, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • But the there are three 300hp electric motors – one driving the front wheels, and two at the back.
    — James Morris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of front
Adjective
  • Some loyal Tesla bulls are treating the drop as a temporary setback (or even a buying opportunity), while more cautious investors are rethinking their exposure.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • He’s played fewer than 15 minutes in every game since his return, and while his minutes will ramp up, the Knicks have to be cautious with a player coming off two stress fractures in the same ankle.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of cautious
Verb
  • On the positive side, the increase in applications from students of color and the growing diversity of the applicant pool are encouraging signs of progress toward more significant equity in higher education.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Perhaps more importantly, trade war concerns have had a bigger hold on the market: Stocks have tumbled this week despite encouraging inflation data .
    — Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • Gusty winds will also impact the Plains and ramp up a widespread fire threat, especially from the late afternoon onward.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Census Bureau started collecting data in 1850 and has tracked immigrant arrivals through the boom in the early 1900s, the bust in middle of the century, and then a steady rise from the 1970s onward.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2025
  • James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Fish added that Samsara faces no material competition, other than a few private telematics companies, as service providers and automakers have struggled to compete with Samsara’s more advanced technology.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Some grilles conceal forward-looking sensors that contribute to the car's suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of advanced

Phrases Containing forward

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Cite this Entry

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

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