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

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

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
For Maryland, the path forward is clear. —Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026 Moving forward without knowing how to pay for it or not fully exploring what may be more cost-effective alternatives may invite serious public concern regarding the fiscal responsibility of the City Commission. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The report found that while the forward section was heavily crushed, the passenger cabin remained largely intact, with most seats still secured and only minor damage reported throughout much of the aircraft. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 Check out a chocolate speakeasy CASE Chocolates, Houston’s only alcohol-forward chocolate speakeasy, is tucked inside the Plant in the city’s Second Ward. —Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nosek is one of eight mainstay Panthers forwards who not play Wednesday, along with Aleksander Barkov (right ACL/MCL), Sam Reinhart (foot), Brad Marchand (lower body), Carter Verhaeghe (lower body), Sam Bennett (lower body), Anton Lundell (ribs) and Jonah Gadjovich (upper body). —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 Not expected to return are goalie Nathan Airey, forwards Jimmy Clark, Erik Pahlsson and August Falloon, and defensemen Max Rud, Finn McLaughlin and Leo Gruba. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward
  1. forwards
  2. onward
  3. familiar
  4. front
  5. cautious
  6. encourage
  7. along
  8. forth
Adverb
  • Among the Samurai Blue’s biggest threats are forwards Ayase Ueda and Koki Ogawa, both of whom play in the Dutch top flight and have 26 international goals combined.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Sources close to Eccho and Night Train have noted the two companies will retain a working relationship going forwards, with Kloiber still in business with Serafin.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of forwards
Adverb
  • That’s well below the target of 95 percent vaccination coverage, which is the level needed to keep the virus from spreading onward in communities.
    — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Then, as expected, from that initial value, the Universe’s entropy has been forever increasing from that point onward.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • By the end of that show, the anxiety and isolation that freight life in the closet had burned away, leaving a happy, hopeful ending in place of familiar narrative disaster; love is found, secrecy is banished, and all is well.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Yet, lurking on social media, the appointment unleashed the all-too-familiar torrent of hate, sexism and misogyny.
    — Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • Carlos Narváez hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth to put Boston back in front, 2-1.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Either way, the Giants have another monster for their front seven.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of front
Adjective
  • But that cautious optimism among exiles is tempered by concern they could be cut out.
    — Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The key takeaway is that consumers are cautious, and the execution of early applications of AI in fashion is what’s holding them back right now.
    — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of cautious
Verb
  • Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The authors stress the need for a robust public domain for information and for IP to be fairly applied alongside the public domain in order to encourage economic growth and innovation.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • With Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins all further along in their careers, there’s a legitimate case that Femi could anchor the next generation of superstars.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • That’s along with the mental side of it.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of along
Adverb
  • Fontecchio’s biggest strengths are his three-point shooting and reliability as a low-maintenance player who will seemingly accept any role, going back and forth from consistent minutes to completely out of the rotation multiple times this season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Peonies burst forth every spring with large, gorgeous, scented flowers.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of forth

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.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/forward. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on forward

Nglish: Translation of forward for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of boondoggle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?
See More

天美传媒

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-playing-trumpet
Sound Check: A Musical Word Quiz Tune-up your vocabulary
See All