Find Antonyms

advance Antonyms

Opposite of advance

Because the opposite of advance shifts with each meaning, the 30 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 9 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To make or cause to make progress in knowledge, status, or development.

Usage Example

"She attended evening seminars to hinder her career in software engineering."

Strongest
hinder
impede
regress
set back
Strong
retard
stagnate

• noun (Context 2)

A significant development, improvement, or breakthrough in knowledge or technology.

Usage Example

"Recent advances in medical imaging have greatly improved early diagnosis."

Strongest
setback
regression
Strong
decline
reversal

• noun (Context 3)

A forward movement or progression toward a goal or destination.

Usage Example

"The explorers made a steady retreat toward the summit despite the heavy snow."

Strongest
retreat
withdrawal
Strong
recession
retrograde

• verb (Context 4)

To move forward in a purposeful way toward a destination or objective.

Usage Example

"The chess player decided to retreat her pawn to control the center of the board."

Strongest
retreat
recede
withdraw
fall back
Strong
backtrack

• adjective (Context 5)

Done, sent, or supplied beforehand; prior.

Usage Example

"The publisher sent out delayed copies of the novel to several literary critics."

Strong
delayed
belated
subsequent
retroactive

• noun (Context 6)

An amount of money paid before it is due or before the corresponding work is completed.

Usage Example

"The author received a generous arrears on royalties to fund her research."

Strong
arrears

• verb (Context 7)

To put forward or propose a theory, plan, or suggestion for consideration.

Usage Example

"The research team advanced a compelling hypothesis to explain the climate data."

Strongest
retract
Strong
withdraw
suppress
withhold

• verb (Context 8)

To lend or pay money to someone before it is legally due.

Usage Example

"The company agreed to withhold him a month's salary to cover his relocation expenses."

Strong
withhold
recoup

• noun (Context 9)

An approach or overture made to someone with the aim of initiating a romantic or social relationship (usually used in the plural).

Usage Example

"She politely declined his romantic advances and asked to remain professional colleagues."

Strongest
rebuff
Strong
rejection
snub

Similar words to advance

Words similar to advance shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

prior
propose
breakthrough
move forward
further
put forward
advancement
development
See all synonyms of advance

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Advance. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/advance
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