Synonyms of promote

promote

verb

prə-ˈmōt 

1

as in to sell

to provide publicity for

promoting a new line of toys based on the popular movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sell
• publicize
• advertise
• announce
• tout
• boost
• push
• plug
• merchandise
• hype
• pitch
• endorse
• publish
• talk up
• beat the drum (for)
• ballyhoo
• praise
• review
• recommend
• broadcast
• bark
• laud
• hail
• acclaim
• plunk (for)
• plump (for)
• plonk (for)

2

as in to elevate

to move higher in rank or position

the navy promoted her to captain for her record of outstanding performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elevate
• upgrade
• raise
• advance
• improve
• forward
• further
• heighten
• kick upstairs
• uplift
• commend
• boost
• honor
• commission
• lift
• celebrate
• aggrandize
• knight
• ennoble
• decorate
• congratulate
• compliment
• extol
• applaud
• cite
• exalt
• glorify
• praise
• eulogize
• laud
• salute
• hail
• acclaim

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• degrade
• remove
• lower
• overthrow
• dismiss
• downgrade
• expel
• impeach
• demote
• unseat
• oust
• depose
• humiliate
• humble
• demean
• shame
• dethrone
• denounce
• abase
• dishonor
• condemn
• take down
• disgrace
• unmake
• mortify
• damn
• censure
• reprobate

3

as in to encourage

to help the growth or development of

a campaign promoting good dental hygiene

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encourage
• cultivate
• foster
• nurture
• advance
• forward
• assist
• further
• nourish
• support
• advocate
• endorse
• incubate
• fund
• advertise
• uphold
• aid
• finance
• subsidize
• underwrite
• nurse
• publicize
• patronize
• back
• boost
• endow
• work (for)
• champion
• abet
• campaign (for)
• stake
• plug
• tout
• agitate (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• hinder
• inhibit
• discourage
• prohibit
• frustrate
• forbid
• enjoin
• oppose
• proscribe
• ban
• fight
• combat
• outlaw
• bar
• counter
• contend (with)
• suppress
• interdict
• stifle
• repress
• check
• subdue
• impede
• battle
• retard
• halt
• obstruct
• arrest
• interfere (with)
• squelch
• encumber
• snuff (out)
• squash
• hobble
• shackle
• fetter
• manacle

4

as in to grow

to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care

spends all her time now promoting her new business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grow
• cultivate
• produce
• raise
• culture
• tend
• plant
• harvest
• propagate
• dress
• crop
• breed
• rear
• reap
• gather
• sow
• glean
• ripen
• sprout
• quicken
• germinate
• root

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kill
• pick
• pull (up)
• dig
• cut
• pluck
• uproot
• extirpate
• hay
• mow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb promote contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of promote are advance, forward, and further. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

When might advance be a better fit than promote?

Although the words advance and promote have much in common, advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

When is it sensible to use forward instead of promote?

While the synonyms forward and promote are close in meaning, forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

When would further be a good substitute for promote?

The synonyms further and promote are sometimes interchangeable, but further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of promote

In 2023, Fendi collaborated with the bubble tea label Heytea on a 19-renminbi beverage to promote its Beijing exhibition; last year, Loewe launched a series of customized golden bikes with Hello Bike to promote its latest flagship in Shanghai. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 May 2026

That’s why the CIA invested all that money in promoting Jackson Pollock or promoting American culture. —Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

Arizona has won 11 games and lost only five since promoting him, which feels significant (but, hey, correlation/causation and whatnot). —Andy Behrens, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Furthermore, Mercury will promote conversations with everyone, especially authority figures. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 May 2026