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

SMRs themselves are being promoted, in part, as a solution to one of the biggest drawbacks facing nuclear power today.

From BBC

Knowing that sphingolipids promote atherosclerotic plaque formation reveals another side of cardiovascular disease in addition to cholesterol.

From Science Daily

Some saw that as promoting and supporting Trump ahead of the US election.

From BBC

Plus, the West had antibiotics — which spread willy-nilly not just in medications, but in toothpaste, lipstick and, perhaps most dangerously, into farm animals to promote growth.

From Salon

Over a traditional Syrian meat-and-rice dish of maqluba, Ali, a former footballer from Damascus, gets out his phone and shows us social media videos that promote smuggling routes.

From BBC

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