Find Synonyms

advance Synonyms

Another word for advance

Choosing another word for advance depends on context, so the 46 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 9 exact definitions and ranked by match 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 further her career in software engineering."

Strongest
further
promote
Strong
foster
boost
elevate
thrive

• 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
advancement
breakthrough
development
improvement
progress
Strong
stride
innovation

• noun (Context 3)

A forward movement or progression toward a goal or destination.

Usage Example

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

Strongest
progression
headway
Strong
approach
march
push

• verb (Context 4)

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

Usage Example

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

Strongest
move forward
proceed
progress
Strong
press on
approach

• adjective (Context 5)

Done, sent, or supplied beforehand; prior.

Usage Example

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

Strongest
prior
preliminary
Strong
early
prepaid
preparatory
foregoing

• 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 prepayment on royalties to fund her research."

Strongest
prepayment
Strong
retainer
deposit
down payment
loan

• 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
propose
put forward
Strong
submit
present
propound
posit
adduce

• verb (Context 8)

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

Usage Example

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

Strongest
prepay
Strong
lend
loan
front
credit

• 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
overture
Strong
approach
proposition
pass

Opposites of advance

The opposite of advance shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

retreat
setback
recede
withdrawal
hinder
retract
set back
regress
See all opposites of advance

Cite this Entry


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