forward motion
Progress through space
Forward motion is movement in the direction one is facing or heading—progress toward a destination or goal.
The phrase appears in contexts ranging from physics to filmmaking to personal development: The car lost forward motion on the icy hill, We need to maintain forward motion on this project.
It often emphasizes continuation or advancement rather than stagnation.
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- headwayForward progress achieved
- gaining groundMaking steady headway
- progressMovement toward improvement
onward · onward and upward · acceleration · full steam ahead · propulsion · trajectory · thrust · stride · step by step · velocity · navigation · kinetic energy · displacement · drive · surge · moving ahead · advancement · pressing on
- progressprogress, in progress, promotion, raise, making progress
- seamanshipseamanship, steering, anchoring, navigation, chartwork
- musical rhythmbeat, tempo, pulse, groove, syncopation
- forward wordsadvance, ahead, onward, progress, forth
- fresh startfresh start, new beginning, clean slate, starting over, do-over
forward motionreverse motion
Backward movement
retreat · backing up · retrograde motion · regression · recoil
forward motionstillness
Complete lack of motion
stagnation · immobility · standstill · motionlessness · inertia
forward motionregression
Return to former state
backsliding · retreat · retrogression · decline · deterioration
forward, motion, motive, commotion, motivation, motivate, motionless, forwards, motivated