Academic Dictionary
Home / Thesaurus / Onward
Find the word that fits

Onward: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy
26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives
90,593 searchable synonym connections
350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type
Start with the meaning

Onward

Moving in a forward direction; tending toward a contemplated or desirable end; forward; as, an onward course, progress, etc.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →
46 useful connections shown 5 reviewed relationships and 41 broader connections.
Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Synonym 5

Ahead 92% connected

In or to the front; in advance; onward.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Forth 92% connected

Forward; onward in time, place, or order; in advance from a given point; on to end; as, from that day forth; one, two, three, and so forth.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Forward 92% connected

An agreement; a covenant; a promise.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Forwards 92% connected

Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; -- opposed to backward.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Onwards 92% connected

Onward.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words
Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

-wards verb · 78% connection

Suffixes denoting course or direction to; motion or tendency toward; as in backward, or backwards; toward, or towards, etc.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Advance verb · 78% connection

The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Bond noun · 78% connection

The union or tie of the several stones or bricks forming a wall. The bricks may be arranged for this purpose in several different ways…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Campaign noun · 78% connection

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the c…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Cause noun · 78% connection

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the c…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Circulation noun · 78% connection

The act of moving in a circle, or in a course which brings the moving body to the place where its motion began.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Closehauled adjective · 78% connection

Under way and moving as nearly as possible toward the direction from which the wind blows; -- said of a sailing vessel.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Coriolis effect noun · 78% connection

(physics) an effect whereby a body moving in a rotating frame of reference experiences the Coriolis force acting perpendicular to the…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Course noun · 78% connection

Progress from point to point without change of direction; any part of a progress from one place to another, which is in a straight lin…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Crusade noun · 78% connection

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the c…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Direction noun · 78% connection

The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed to move, or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim; line or point of te…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Down adverb · 78% connection

In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; -- the opposite of up.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Downward adjective · 78% connection

Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Drive noun · 78% connection

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the c…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Easterly adjective · 78% connection

Situated, directed, or moving toward the east; as, the easterly side of a lake; an easterly course or voyage.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Effort noun · 78% connection

a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end; "he supported populist campaigns"; "they worked in the c…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Expedient adjective · 78% connection

Hastening or forward; hence, tending to further or promote a proposed object; fit or proper under the circumstances; conducive to self…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
Fetch verb · 78% connection

To bear toward the person speaking, or the person or thing from whose point of view the action is contemplated; to go and bring; to ge…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: moving, forward, direction, tending, toward.
Definition Compare
All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.

Dictionary Definitions and meanings Thesaurus Synonyms with nuance Academic writing Evidence and analysis Professional Workplace vocabulary Word origins Etymology and roots Subjects Specialist dictionaries Word clusters Connected vocabulary Word similarity Compare two words Crossword Play with vocabulary