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promote

verb
pro·​mote | \ prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio) \
promoted; promoting

Definition of promote

transitive verb

1a : to advance in station, rank, or honor : raise
b : to change (a pawn) into a piece in chess by moving to the eighth rank
c : to advance (a student) from one grade to the next higher grade
2a : to contribute to the growth or prosperity of : further promote international understanding
b : to help bring (something, such as an enterprise) into being : launch
c : to present (merchandise) for buyer acceptance through advertising, publicity, or discounting
3 slang : to get possession of by doubtful means or by ingenuity
Other Words from promote Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about promote

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Other Words from promote

promotability \ prə-​ˌmō-​tə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce promotability (audio) \ noun
promotable \ prə-​ˈmō-​tə-​bəl How to pronounce promotable (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for promote

Synonyms

advance, elevate, raise, upgrade

Antonyms

abase, degrade, demote, downgrade, lower, reduce

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Choose the Right Synonym for promote

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead. advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end. advance the cause of peace promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank. a campaign to promote better health forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead. a wage increase would forward productivity further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance. used the marriage to further his career

Examples of promote in a Sentence

He was promoted to senior editor. The army major was promoted to lieutenant colonel. The team have been promoted to the First Division. Mediators were present to promote dialogue. Good soil promotes plant growth. The school distributed pamphlets promoting good dental hygiene. The marketing department is busy promoting the new line of men's clothes for fall. The island is being promoted as a destination for romantic getaways.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Counterdemonstrators accused the organizers of promoting an atmosphere of violence toward the LGBTQ community. — Washington Post, "Six people shot at school football game," 1 Sep. 2019 If the Sox don’t promote Robert, which current minor-leaguers will get some time with the Sox in September? Manager Rick Renteria isn’t naming any names. — Lamond Pope, chicagotribune.com, "5 pressing questions for the White Sox as they enter the final month of the season," 31 Aug. 2019 The Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the community. — Lorraine Hart, Houston Chronicle, "GHBA Remodelers Council: Local contractors win Star Awards," 31 Aug. 2019 Japan also seeks to train 3,000 people over a period of six years under a human resource development program for Africa so there will be more people from the continent who can contribute to promoting Japan-Africa business relations. — Aisha Salaudeen, CNN, "Japan takes on China with a planned $20 billion investment in Africa," 30 Aug. 2019 Models Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski are among the celebrities being sued by a bankruptcy trustee as a result of promoting the infamous Fyre Festival, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski Among Celebrities Sued for Fyre Festival Payments," 30 Aug. 2019 The department was able to hire four officers and promoted a captain, a lieutenant and two sergeants, but retirements within the department added to the number of vacancies, McClinton said. — Anthony Clark Carpio, Burbank Leader, "Burbank officials look to fill vacant city positions," 30 Aug. 2019 Liam Hemsworth is getting back to work following the divorce filing with Miley Cyrus with a photo promoting his new film Killerman. — Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, "Liam Hemsworth Posts on Social Media for the First Time Since Splitting From Miley Cyrus," 29 Aug. 2019 Companies can break that cycle by providing management training and promoting people based on their actual ability to do the new job, not their other skills or, even worse, their connections. — Chris Woolston, Quartz at Work, "How to deal with an abusive boss," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'promote.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of promote

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for promote

Middle English, from Latin promotus, past participle of promovēre, literally, to move forward, from pro- forward + movēre to move

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More Definitions for promote

promote

verb
How to pronounce promote (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of promote

: to change the rank or position of (someone) to a higher or more important one
British : to move (a sports team) to a higher position in a league
: to help (something) happen, develop, or increase

See the full definition for promote in the English Language Learners Dictionary

promote

verb
pro·​mote | \ prə-ˈmōt How to pronounce promote (audio) \
promoted; promoting

Kids Definition of promote

1 : to move up in position or rank Their daughter was promoted to the next grade.
2 : to help (something) to grow or develop Good soil promotes plant growth.

promote

transitive verb
pro·​mote

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