Synonyms

promote

American

[pruh-moht] / prəˈmoʊt /

verb (used with object)

to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further.

to promote world peace.

Synonyms:

support, help, assist, advance, forward, back, abet

Antonyms:

obstruct, discourage
to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (opposed to demote).

Synonyms:

exalt, raise, elevate

Antonyms:

abase, degrade, demote
Education. to put ahead to the next higher stage or grade of a course or series of classes.
to aid in organizing (business undertakings).
to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), especially through advertising or other publicity.
Informal. to obtain (something) by cunning or trickery; wangle.

promote British

/ prəˈməʊt /

verb

to further or encourage the progress or existence of
to raise to a higher rank, status, degree, etc
to advance (a pupil or student) to a higher course, class, etc
to urge the adoption of; work for

to promote reform
to encourage the sale of (a product) by advertising or securing financial support
chess to exchange (a pawn) for any piece other than a king when the pawn reaches the 8th rank

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of promote

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English promoten, from Latin prōmōtus, past participle of prōmovēre “to move forward, advance”; see pro- ¹, motive

Explanation

If you work for a marketing firm, your job is to promote new products — to publicize them and to try to get the public to buy them. The verb promote can also mean to advance to a higher position. Because of your hard work, your boss might decide to promote you. In school, passing students are promoted each year when they enter a higher grade. In chess, the verb promote is used when a pawn is exchanged for a higher ranking piece. Make sure you promote your pawn to a queen, giving you two queens on the board and a strong advantage in the game.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing promote

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Words for Father's Day: What Fathers Do

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Unit 3: Compelling Evidence

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Vitamins, minerals and other nutritional products are often marketed as simple ways to boost energy, support immunity, protect brain health or even promote longevity.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

“Mr. Pauken hoped his work would promote peaceful relations and advance the cause of religious freedom in China,” the lawyer said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

It included Gen. David Petraeus and others of like mind who would probably promote officers skilled at fighting the new kind of war.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

It was set up to relieve the effects of poverty and promote regeneration in the area.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Downtown stores made good on their promises to hire and to promote more blacks.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023