A further synonym has to fit the role further plays in your line, because further works in four ways. Before a noun it means additional or more. Opening a sentence, it adds a point like furthermore or moreover. With distance it means farther. As a verb it means advance or promote.
Find your use below, then choose by tone. The section on further and farther clears up the most common question.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
additional, more, moreover, farther, advancePart of speech
Adjective, adverb and verbMost formal
furthermore, supplementary, moreoverMost casual
more, extra, also, plusAntonyms
nearer, less, hinderWatch out
Further is not a linking word for contrast. Do not use it where however belongs.Word forms covered
furthered, furthering, furthest
Pick by role first
| Role | Synonyms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective: more | additional, extra, more, fresh | Call us for additional details. |
| Linking adverb | furthermore, moreover, besides | Besides, the bus is cheaper. |
| Distance or degree | farther, beyond, deeper | We walked farther than planned. |
| Verb: move forward | advance, promote, foster | The grant will advance her research. |
Further synonym or farther: the distance question
Most American editors keep farther for miles and meters, and give further the jobs of degree and time: "The lake is farther than it looks" but "Let's discuss this further." British writers often use further for both. If you are unsure, further is never wrong for distance, but farther is wrong for degree: say further questions, never farther questions.
Further in sentences, rewritten
- Further information is on our site becomes more information or additional information.
- We need further time becomes we need extra time or more time.
- Further, the cost is low becomes moreover, the cost is low or besides, the cost is low.
- Do not go any further becomes do not go any farther (distance).
- To further your career becomes to advance your career or to boost your career.
- Until further notice stays as it is. It is a fixed phrase.
An email to a client: "Further to our call, I attach the further documents." The repeat is awkward. "Following our call, I attach the additional documents" reads cleanly. Further to is a formal business opener meaning following up on.
The linking word and its tone
Our further chips go from relaxed on the left to stiff on the right. Also is the plainest. Besides is chatty and treats the new point as a bonus. In addition is neutral. Both moreover and furthermore belong in essays, where they add a stronger point. Further alone, as a sentence opener, is formal and fairly rare; moreover usually sounds more natural.
Do not stack them. One formal linker per paragraph is plenty. The transition words hub lists more choices.
Verb forms: furthered and furthering
As a verb, further means to help something move forward. Furthered swaps with advanced, promoted or boosted: "The deal furthered their interests" becomes "the deal advanced their interests." Furthering becomes advancing, fostering or developing: "furthering education" becomes "fostering education." See foster synonyms for gentler, long-term growth words.
Common slips
Further adds; it never contrasts. Writing "Further, the results were poor" after good news confuses the reader, who expects a matching point. Use however there. Also, furthest and farthest follow the same rule as further and farther. Finally, more further is never correct.
Opposites by role
For distance, the opposite is nearer or closer. For amount, it is less or fewer, though often you simply say no more. For the verb, use hinder, hamper or obstruct: red tape can hinder a project just as funding can further it. There is a longer list on the hinder synonyms page.
Frequently asked questions
Which words replace further in further information?
More information and additional information are the easiest swaps. Extra details and further details also work in emails.
Is further or farther correct for distance?
Both are accepted, but American style prefers farther for physical distance. Further is always the choice for degree, time or extra amounts.
Can further open a sentence on its own?
Yes, in formal writing, though furthermore or moreover is more common. Put a comma after it, then add a point that runs in the same direction as the last.
If further is used as a verb, what does it mean?
Helping something make progress. Advance, promote and foster match it best.
Does further have an antonym?
It depends on the role. Nearer for distance, less for amount, and hinder or obstruct for the verb sense.