promote

[ pruh-moht ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·mot·ed, pro·mot·ing.

1. to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further:

   to promote world peace.

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

   Antonyms: obstruct, discourage

2. to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. ( demote ).

   Synonyms: exalt, raise, elevate

   Antonyms: abase, degrade, demote

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

promote

/ prəˈməʊt /

verb

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

   to promote reform

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

Derived Forms

• proˈmotional, adjective
• proˈmotable, adjective
• proˈmotion, noun

Other Words From

• pro·motable adjective
• pro·mota·bili·ty noun
• prepro·mote verb (used with object) prepromoted prepromoting
• self-pro·moting adjective
• unpro·mota·ble adjective
• unpro·moted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of promote¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of promote¹

C14: from Latin prōmovēre to push onwards, from pro- ¹+ movēre to move

Example Sentences

The WD-40 website promotes dozens of uses for their product, as well as a list of 2,000 uses submitted by actual users.

From Popular-Science

Chief of Staff Ron Klain, communications director Kate Bedingfield and transition spokesman Andrew Bates all promoted it on Twitter.

From Washington Post

Many parents — including Schoppe-Sullivan — consult Common Sense Media, an advocacy group that promotes safe media use.

From Washington Post

Over the holidays, the wine brand partnered with Budweiser in an effort to promote products in both the beer and wine section of the e-commerce platform.

From Digiday

When I go to negotiate my salary — suppose I just got promoted.

From Freakonomics

She wrote for LIFE magazine and would go on Johnny Carson to promote her books.

From The Daily Beast

Another chilling recipe for injustice and resentment by closing down the open society you seek to promote.

From The Daily Beast

Australia earlier cancelled Blanc's visa over claims his tactics promote sexual assault.

From The Daily Beast

When it appears it is largely used to chastise transsexuals and to promote celibacy.

From The Daily Beast

We try to support activities that promote education and public participation about the Lincoln story.

From The Daily Beast

A certain cabinet minister being asked why he did not promote merit?

From Project Gutenberg

You may rest assured that I will spare no time or attention to promote the performance of this engine.

From Project Gutenberg

And, in effect, his example did serve to promote a rapprochement between the conquerors and the conquered.

From Project Gutenberg

The underground water operates solely to promote certain changes which take place in the mineral realm.

From Project Gutenberg

It did nothing to promote either practical activity or theological inquiry.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• advertise
• advocate
• benefit
• bolster
• boost
• build up
• cooperate
• develop
• encourage
• endorse
• further
• improve
• popularize
• publicize
• push
• push for
• sell
• soft sell
• speed