further 1 of 3

adverb

ˈfər-t͟hər How to pronounce further (audio)
Definition of furthernext
1
as in farther
at or to a greater distance or more advanced point go further along this road and you'll see the sign for the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in then
in addition to what has been said I'll say nothing further at this time

Synonyms & Similar Words

further

2 of 3

adjective

as in more
resulting in an increase in amount or number I think further research is needed before we can say whether that treatment is safe or not

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

further

3 of 3

verb

as in to encourage
to help the growth or development of she worked hard to further her operatic career

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb further contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of further are advance, forward, and promote. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

In what contexts can advance take the place of further?

The words advance and further are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

When is forward a more appropriate choice than further?

The synonyms forward and further are sometimes interchangeable, but forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

When might promote be a better fit than further?

While the synonyms promote and further are close in meaning, promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of further
Adverb
For statistical confirmation, look no further than a global survey that my company did of 2,000 CEOs. — Sanjay Brahmawar, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2023 For those who want a remote getaway with breathtaking beauty, look no further than this archipelago province of the Philippines. — Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 1 Feb. 2023
Adjective
Scientists may not be able to reverse all the ice loss already set in motion, but limiting further warming can still influence how much more ice is lost, and how much the seas ultimately rise. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 The Police Department didn’t release any further details about the investigation. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
The primary goal is to give Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis as much playing time as necessary to develop key aspects of their game — on-ball facilitation, 1-on-1 defense, off-ball movement, spot-up shooting — to further their long-term growth. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Collabs with now-ex girlfriend Avril Lavigne, Machine Gun Kelly, and one of his idols, Travis Barker, furthered his oeuvre. — Katherine Turman, SPIN, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for further
Recent Examples of Synonyms for further
  1. farther
  2. then
  3. more
  4. encourage
  5. also
  6. additional
  7. promote
  8. either
Adverb
  • However, if temperatures fall farther than expected the amounts could increase, forecasters added.
    — Leigh Morgan, al, 11 Feb. 2023
  • The air and pressure distortions can be a bane to airplane pilots, who sometimes feel their planes gliding along farther than intended during landing.
    — Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2023
Definition of farther
Adverb
  • While traveling with then-President Ronald Reagan in 1981, White House press secretary James Brady was shot during an assassination attempt on the president.
    — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors alleged that Zhang flew from California to Las Vegas and then to the Seattle area to conduct surveillance of the unidentified son and his home from outside.
    — David Douglas, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of then
Adjective
  • While the Botanical Bliss ships compressed like all mattresses-in-a-box, setting it up required a bit more effort than expected.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The association with the Human Rights Campaign could create more confusion about Talarico’s stance on the medical issue, as his position has come into question through his inconsistent comments.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of more
Verb
  • Mitte encouraged people to open up with each other and be candid about their feelings.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Sepesi hopes the worldwide attention surrounding the Pope's diagnosis will encourage more people to learn about lung cancer.
    — Tori Mason, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • Skydance, a small production company founded by David Ellison in 2006, has turned into a media giant that unites not only two legacy Hollywood studios but also broadcasting, streaming, and news network assets.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But beyond just the legal battles and headlines, speakers on Sunday also focused on the more personal impact for people one year later.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of also
Adjective
  • After confirming that the line from Exeter that ran through the village of Starcross didn’t open until the end of May, 1846, Cade and his team turned to the schedule for additional clues.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Darrell Alexander, who runs composer agency Cool Music, sees working as an additional composer as the best entry point for anyone starting out.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of additional
Verb
  • Both those historic actions happened as part of the Biden administration's focus on anti-money laundering and efforts to promote compliance with the then-emerging virtual currency industry.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • One of Mitte’s last posts on Instagram this week promoted those showings.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote
Adverb
  • If your team can’t reconstruct what the agent saw and did in March, the auditor can’t either.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Driving isn’t advisable either, nor is one of his other passions, riding a motorcycle, Joel told the Hollywood Reporter in an article that came out Thursday.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of either

Browse Nearby Words

furs
further
furtherance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Further.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/further. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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