| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | promote or propose an idea |
| Synonyms: | adduce, allege, ballyhoo, beat the drum for, benefit, boost, cite, encourage, foster, further, get ink for, hype*, introduce, lay forward, make a pitch for, offer, plug*, present, proffer, puff, push, put forward, put on the map, serve, set forth, splash, spot, submit, suggest, throw spotlight on, urge |
| Notes: | advance means 'steady progress' and stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end, while advancement suggests progression that is bigger, more, or beyond normal |
| Antonyms: | hesitate, stop, withdraw |
| Main Entry: | advocate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | support idea or cause publicly |
| Synonyms: | advance, advise, argue for, back, be in corner, bless, bolster, boost*, brace up, build up, campaign for, champion, countenance, defend, encourage, favor, further, get on bandwagon, give a leg up, give a lift, go for, go to bat for, go with, hold with, justify, plead for, plug*, plump for, press for, promote, propose, push, recommend, ride shotgun for, root for, run interference for, say so, side, speak for, spread around, stump for, support, tout, uphold, urge, vindicate |
| Antonyms: | assail, attack, criticize, impugn, oppose, protest |
| Main Entry: | aid |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | help, support |
| Synonyms: | abet, alleviate, assist, bail out, befriend, benefact, encourage, favor, go to bat for, go with, lend a hand, lighten, mitigate, open doors for, promote, relieve, serve, stick up for, straighten out, subsidize, sustain |
| Notes: | aid is assistance or a source of assistance; aide is an assistant |
| Antonyms: | block, hinder, hurt, impede, injure, obstruct |
| Main Entry: | animate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | bring to life |
| Synonyms: | activate, arouse, cheer, embolden, encourage, energize, enliven, exalt, excite, fire, gladden, hearten, impel, incite, inform, inspire, inspirit, instigate, invigorate, kindle, liven, make alive, move, quicken, revive, revivify, rouse, spark, spur, stimulate, stir, urge, vitalize, vivify |
| Antonyms: | deaden, discourage, kill |
| Main Entry: | applaud |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | clap for; express approval |
| Synonyms: | acclaim, approve, boost, cheer, commend, compliment, encourage, eulogize, extol, give a hand, give ovation, glorify, hail, hear it for, kudize, laud, magnify, plug, praise, rave, recommend, root* |
| Antonyms: | keep silent |
| Main Entry: | approve |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | allow, authorize |
| Synonyms: | accede, accept, accredit, acquiesce, advocate, affirm, agree, assent, authorize, back*, bless*, boost, buy, buy into, certify, charter, concur, confirm, consent, dig*, empower, encourage, endorse, establish, get behind, give go-ahead, go along with, groove*, hats off to, lap up, license, maintain, make law, make valid, mandate, okay, permit, pronounce, push for, ratify, recommend, sanction, seal, second, sign, sign off on, stump for, subscribe to, support, thumbs up, uphold, validate |
| Antonyms: | disallow, disapprove, invalidate, oppose, refuse, reject |
| Main Entry: | assure |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | convince, relieve doubt |
| Synonyms: | bag*, bet on, comfort, encourage, hearten, inspire, persuade, reassure, satisfy, sell on, sell*, soothe |
| Main Entry: | back |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | support |
| Synonyms: | abet, abide by, advocate, ally, angel*, assist, bankroll, boost, champion, countenance, encourage, endorse, favor, finance, give a boost, give a leg up, give a lift, go to bat for, grubstake, sanction, second, side with, sponsor, stake, stand behind, stick by, stick up for, subsidize, sustain, underwrite, uphold |
| Antonyms: | discourage, dissuade |
| Main Entry: | befriend |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make social acquaintance; support |
| Synonyms: | advise, aid, assist, back, benefit, buddy up, case out, come on to, cotton to, encourage, favor, get chummy with, get in with, help, hit it off, patronize, side with, stand by, sustain, take under one's wing, take up with, uphold, welcome |
| Antonyms: | ignore, neglect |