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
Police did not provide further information about the 72-year-old’s identity. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 The suspect then went back inside and witnesses reported hearing no further gunshots, Lorah said. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
For James Kountz, CSU was a natural choice to further his interest in quantum and his career. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 The state Legislature can amend the measure only with a two-thirds supermajority vote, and any changes would need to further the initiative. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 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
  • Luca Guadagnino‘s tech tale, which follows the five-day period in 2023 when Altman was fired and then rehired, earned rave reviews after its world premiere at New York Film Festival last week.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The storm then roared into Alabama with tropical-force winds before heading farther north.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of then
Adjective
  • The polling punctuates widespread Democratic warnings about Trump laying the groundwork for interfering in the midterm elections by asserting more control over mail-in voting and dispatching Justice Department monitors to polling places.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The increase in online sports betting has worsened mental health problems in younger men, leading to more hospital visits as a result.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of more
Verb
  • Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges’ questions.
    — Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Adverb
  • As part of orchestrating this project, Simon was also involved in securing visas for the various international performers, encountering in the process the uneven access to travel for cultural workers across classes, nationalities, and milieus.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • At Helen, also downtown in a 1920s-era building, chef Rob McDaniel serves a menu almost entirely cooked over a grill that's inspired by his grandmother's open-fire cooking.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of also
Adjective
  • Longer life offsets costs The researchers also examined whether the additional electronics could be economically justified.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • After the storms, Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation that made additional state resources available for response and recovery, his office said.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of additional
Verb
  • The group emphasized that its request isn't intended to promote robocalls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The actor stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote their latest film, Digger (and gamely participate in a cooking segment with Wishbone Kitchen).
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of promote
Adverb
  • The rest was onshore coalbed methane, or coal seam gas, and those resources aren’t in growth mode either.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • As of last year, 46 projects comprising 5,000 units were either completed or are under construction, and plans for another 43 projects have been filed, according to data analytics firm Marketproof.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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