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
This exceeds the city manager’s authority to move temporary shelter projects forward without council approval, risking a vote that could stop the project altogether. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Morehouse School of Medicine and Atrium Health have received state approval to move forward with the hospital planned for 675 Metropolitan Parkway SW. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Oil can be bought and sold through futures, options, swaps, forward arrangements and physical-market transactions. — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 And from that point, nothing can stop the forward steps that God Himself sustains. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Shortly after Lyons' email, Charles forwarded the message to a group of officials whose names are redacted. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 Tillman reported the harassment to the department’s chief of detention, and her complaints were forwarded to the office of professional compliance for investigation, court records say. — Amber Gaudet updated August 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 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
  • Like Kaprizov and a slew of star forwards last season, Hughes and Makar could each be waiting for the other to sign first.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, just because a timeframe hasn't been announced to the public, that doesn't mean there is no internal timeframe that can be brought forwards and backwards as necessary.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of forwards
Adverb
  • The team’s form picked up spectacularly from December onwards, losing only five of their final 25 Premier League matches.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In practice, the Mughals in India, from the 15th century onward, had a rich tradition of landscaping and building waterfront and palace gardens, modeling themselves after heavenly authority and their cities after the heavenly garden.
    — Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • What makes this year’s numbers different from the slow, familiar erosion of the past several years is the source of the exemptions.
    — A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The familiar last name and near-blank political slate pulled him in.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • As the positional map below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable anywhere across the front three.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Conditions may get a bit better by Thursday as a front moves in, the weather service said.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of front
Adjective
  • Goldman expects China’s advanced-node wafer supply to reach 410,000 wafers per month by 2035, compared with monthly demand of 619,000 wafers.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The display was set up by police, with authorities saying some of the bodies recovered from the floods were in an advanced state of decomposition, making physical identification difficult.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • Florida’s Republican gubernatorial ticket is defying historic trends for a political party traditionally known for elevating white men to leadership positions — even as the GOP remains cautious about drawing attention to the shift.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Bindi, a young female wallaby, is inquisitive and extremely curious, while Wally, a young male wallaby, is more cautious and likes to look at things from afar, Borozenets said.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cautious
Verb
  • Producer and 10 Lives founder and CEO Daniel Catullo set the stage for such a party by introducing the film and encouraging audience members to get out of their seats during the showing and record clips of the doc.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • So his church—which has raised many millions of dollars for good causes, and operates a local food pantry and food truck—decided to distribute lawn signs simply encouraging people to be kind.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • At the same time, Tempo cruised along, still far off the pace.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • To maintain his grip on power, Trump needs to inspire Latinos to stand by him, vote for his agenda and urge others to follow along.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of along

Phrases Containing forward

Browse Nearby Words

forums
forward
forwarded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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