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
While cost may be an issue worth discussing, providing scientists with enough support and motivation to pursue replication projects is still the best path forward. — Mark Louie F. Ramos, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026 The disciplinary case against an off-duty NYPD officer who fatally shot a Brooklyn man during a road rage encounter is moving forward after more than a decade of waiting. — Ali Bauman, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The thrusters are integrated into the rear diffuser, and they can also be used to boost the car’s forward acceleration. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 16 Oct. 2026 The latest unit retains the same first six forward ratios as the outgoing Carrera T’s manual transmission, but ditches its predecessor’s somewhat awkward and largely superfluous seventh gear. — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Police will forward the case to prosecutors for consideration of charges. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 The freight forwarding giant expects Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to remain under significant pressure in the coming weeks. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 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
  • Mourinho has been working hard to get the star forwards attacking different spaces on the counter.
    — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 10 Oct. 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
  • From November onwards, Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will get 15 hours of complimentary cloud streaming per month, while Game Pass Premium and Game Pass Essential will get ten and five respectively.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The companies expect to launch up to 50 low-Earth orbit satellites annually from 2028 onward.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of onward
Adjective
  • The answer is that there are some cases where quantum waves interfere constructively and give rise to a pattern familiar from classical physics.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For experienced yogis, doing yoga from a chair can offer new ways to explore familiar movements, says Pate, who incorporates a chair into many of her regular yoga classes.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • The proposal came days after Kim Jong Un's powerful sister visited front-line areas where North Korean troops are reinforcing the border.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This is Bates’ front-row seat to Maine’s unique economic hardship.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of front
Adjective
  • By increasing its manufacturing capacity, the company aims to strengthen its ability to deliver advanced systems to customers.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Back the companies willing to take risks The United States needs an advanced manufacturing ecosystem that includes more than behemoths with access to capital markets and giant lines of credit.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of advanced
Adjective
  • Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Verb
  • Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori encouraged joining offshoot groups to circumvent the ban, the Telegraph reported.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Meta encourages its users to name their AIs—and encourages its AIs to think like humans.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • Drake Maye, quarterback for the Patriots, has been further along in the league than his opponent.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Doctors point to how the body regulates its own temperature at night, and how a cozy pair of socks can nudge that process along.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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