promote
verb
pro·mote prə-ˈmōt 
promoted; promoting
transitive verb
1
a
: to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise
b
: to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank
c
: to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade
2
a
: to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further
promote international understanding
b
: to help bring (something, such as an enterprise) into being : launch
c
: to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting
3
slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity
promotability
prə-ˌmō-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun promotable
prə-ˈmō-tə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- advance
- elevate
- raise
- upgrade
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was promoted to senior editor. The army major was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The team have been promoted to the First Division. Mediators were present to promote dialogue. Good soil promotes plant growth. The school distributed pamphlets promoting good dental hygiene. The marketing department is busy promoting the new line of men's clothes for fall. The island is being promoted as a destination for romantic getaways. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Early in his presidency, FDR began working with the post office to strategically design stamps to send messages into American homes that would promote his New Deal and his National Recovery Administration. 
Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 The One Young World summit begins officially on Tuesday, September 6, and gathers 2,000 young leaders from 190 countries from different sectors to collaborate on projects that promote social impact. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 5 Sep. 2022 Kids ages 2-12 and their caregivers will be led through activities that promote relaxation and focus with yoga instructor Melanie Williams. Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Tinder, for example, is building for Gen Z through gamification and features that promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Forget this move at all costs, and instead stick to exercises that do not promote internal rotation of your shoulders, like rear-delt flys or old school back exercises. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2022 The list includes local government initiatives that promote digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 But the sheriff has also taken credit for addressing the problem with a policy that prohibits deputies from joining groups that promote behavior that violates the rights of others. Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022 Wildlife enthusiasts are co-opting various social media platforms to build communities that promote accurate snake information and slay viral myths. Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 The One Young World summit begins officially on Tuesday, September 6, and gathers 2,000 young leaders from 190 countries from different sectors to collaborate on projects that promote social impact. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 5 Sep. 2022 Kids ages 2-12 and their caregivers will be led through activities that promote relaxation and focus with yoga instructor Melanie Williams. Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 Tinder, for example, is building for Gen Z through gamification and features that promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Forget this move at all costs, and instead stick to exercises that do not promote internal rotation of your shoulders, like rear-delt flys or old school back exercises. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2022 The list includes local government initiatives that promote digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 But the sheriff has also taken credit for addressing the problem with a policy that prohibits deputies from joining groups that promote behavior that violates the rights of others. Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022 Wildlife enthusiasts are co-opting various social media platforms to build communities that promote accurate snake information and slay viral myths. Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin promotus, past participle of promovēre, literally, to move forward, from pro- forward + movēre to move
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing promote
Kids Definition
promote
verb
pro·mote prə-ˈmōt
promoted; promoting
1
: to move up in position or rank
Their daughter was promoted to the next grade.
2
: to help (something) to grow or develop
Good soil promotes plant growth.
Medical Definition
promote
transitive verb
pro·mote prə-ˈmōt
promoted; promoting
: to cause or contribute to the growth, development, or occurrence of
sugary drinks promote cavities
a diet that promotes good health
promote
verb
1
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
Relevance
- elevate
- upgrade
- advance
- raise
- improve
- further
- commission
- forward
- uplift
- heighten
- kick upstairs
- boost
- honor
- aggrandize
- celebrate
- commend
- lift
- ennoble
- compliment
- decorate
- extol
- congratulate
- knight
- exalt
- applaud
- glorify
- cite
- praise
- laud
- eulogize
- salute
- extoll
- hail
- acclaim
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduce
- degrade
- demote
- remove
- lower
- overthrow
- downgrade
- unseat
- dismiss
- expel
- dethrone
- oust
- impeach
- depose
- abase
- humiliate
- denounce
- unmake
- shame
- humble
- mortify
- dishonor
- condemn
- take down
- disgrace
- demean
- censure
- damn
- reprobate
2
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
- further
- forward
- nourish
- assist
- incubate
- support
- advocate
- endorse
- fund
- advertise
- uphold
- aid
- underwrite
- subsidize
- champion
- finance
- publicize
- back
- patronize
- boost
- nurse
- abet
- endow
- stake
- tout
- indorse
- plug
- agitate (for)
- work (for)
- campaign (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevent
- hinder
- inhibit
- discourage
- prohibit
- frustrate
- forbid
- oppose
- enjoin
- proscribe
- ban
- outlaw
- fight
- combat
- counter
- suppress
- bar
- interdict
- stifle
- contend (with)
- repress
- impede
- check
- subdue
- squelch
- obstruct
- retard
- battle
- halt
- squash
- arrest
- interfere (with)
- encumber
- snuff (out)
- shackle
- hobble
- fetter
- manacle
3
as in to cultivate
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care spends all her time now promoting her new business Synonyms & Similar Words
- cultivate
- grow
- produce
- raise
- culture
- tend
- plant
- crop
- harvest
- propagate
- rear
- dress
- breed
- gather
- sow
- reap
- root
- glean
- quicken
- ripen
- sprout
- germinate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- kill
- pick
- dig
- pull (up)
- cut
- extirpate
- uproot
- pluck
- hay
- mow
4
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
- hype
- push
- plug
- talk up
- ballyhoo
- pitch
- endorse
- merchandise
- publish
- praise
- beat the drum (for)
- review
- recommend
- laud
- bark
- broadcast
- merchandize
- hail
- acclaim
- indorse
- plunk (for)
- plonk (for)
- plump (for)
Synonym Chooser
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
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
While the synonyms forward and promote are close in meaning, forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.
a wage increase would forward productivity
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
- casts
- casts (off)
- casts (up)
- casts about
- casts about (for)
- casts about for
- casts adrift
- casts around
- casts around (for)
- casts around for
- casts aside
- casts off
- casts on
- casts out
- casts up
- casual
- casual ejector
- casual fridays
- casual observer
- casual ward
- casual water
- casualer
- casualest
- casualisation
- casualisations