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to further

to further

102 3.5
To help something make progress or grow
  • verb
  • /ˈfɜrðər/
translation icon : promover
  • All they wanted from me is that I help them further their cause.
  • further understanding
  • further the interests
  • further the goal

Positive means you're doing it to to further your own ends.

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Examples

  • The 1990 elections did help further the consolidation of liberal democratic rule in Nicaragua.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We believe that this study has demonstrated the usefulness of our technique in furthering these goals.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The goal for teaching any piece of music is to further students' musical understanding.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The King has decided that, in his wisdom, he will create a competition to further the progress of medical science.

  • The goal of research should not be to further itself in isolation but to help improve practice.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Continued research is necessary to further our understanding of the risks that accompany hospital social work.

    Academic text (2008)
  • This could be a phenomenal opportunity to further our research.

  • Such pragmatism means accepting that the United States can do little to further Russia's democratization.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The foundation aims to further education by providing scholarships to underprivileged students.

  • She enrolled in additional courses to further her knowledge in computer science.

Synonyms

to promote
vsto further
566 3.2

Help something grow and become more successful

is a broader neutral way to help growth without extra active measures
to advance
vsto further
417 3.4

To help something move forward or become better

is broader help that supports development without necessarily moving it forward
to encourage
vsto further
325 2.1

Help something grow or develop

is more general help that covers many ways of supporting growth
to boost
vsto further
265 2.5

To make something increase or work better

focuses on helping development or growth over time rather than quick increases
to foster
vsto further
104 3.7

To encourage the growth or development of something

is a general form of help rather than focused nurturing or care
to cultivate
vsto further
82 4.1

To help a skill, interest or relationship grow

applies to general progress and growth not only personal skills or bonds

Antonyms

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

35 6.5

To slow the progress or movement of people and things

Idioms

1 4.1

To begin immediately without a long introduction

Phrasal Verbs

Cause people to disagree and feel less united

Compounds

Extra medical care needed after first treatment

How Much Help

to promote
566 3.2
to further
102 3.5
to support
1.0
help
1.0
assist
33 1.8

Surface Forms

further infinitive
furthered past
furthered past participle
furthering present participle
furthers third person singular

Etymology

Further as a verb comes from the idea of making something go far or 'forward', so to further a project is to help it progress or advance. In short, to further something is to help it move on or grow.