forbidden words: promote diversity

promote

1. to help or encourage to exist or flourish; further.
   to promote world peace.
   Synonyms: support, help, assist, advance, forward, back, abet
   Antonyms: obstruct, discourage
2. to advance in rank, dignity, position, etc. (demote ).
   Synonyms: exalt, raise, elevate
   Antonyms: abase, degrade, demote
3. Education.,  to put ahead to the next higher stage or grade of a course or series of classes.
4. to aid in organizing (business undertakings).
5. to encourage the sales, acceptance, etc., of (a product), especially through advertising or other publicity.
6. Informal.,  to obtain (something) by cunning or trickery; wangle.

Other Word Forms

• promotional adjective
• promotable adjective
• promotion noun
• promotability noun
• prepromote verb (used with object)
• self-promoting adjective
• unpromotable adjective
• unpromoted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of promote¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English promoten, from Latin prōmōtus, past participle of prōmovēre “to move forward, advance”; pro- 1, motive

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diversity n 1 the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness: diversity of opinion.
Antonyms: similarity, sameness, resemblance

2 variety; multiformity.
Synonyms: multiplicity, heterogeneity, assortment, variation, dissimilarity, disagreement, contrast
Antonyms: homogeneity

3 a the spectrum of individual differences and the corresponding group memberships and identities that human beings have in society: A functioning multicultural society celebrates the diversity of its people, but diversity can also be problematic for the maintenance of a cohesive national identity.
b the inclusion of individuals representing more than one national origin, color, religion, socioeconomic stratum, sexual orientation, etc.: an initiative to increase diversity in the workplace.

4 a point of difference.

from — Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words. (2025i). In Dictionary.com.

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promote diversity

To promote diversity and inclusion, organizations and individuals can foster awareness by understanding and challenging unconscious bias, implementing inclusive policies and practices, and providing opportunities for diverse individuals to be heard and advance. Key actions include using inclusive language, recruiting from a diverse talent pool, creating employee resource groups, and celebrating diverse cultures. 

In Organizations

• Address Unconscious Bias: Provide diversity training to help employees understand and manage unconscious biases that can affect their interactions and decisions. 
• Develop Inclusive Policies: Create and enforce strong anti-discrimination policies and ensure fair pay and opportunities for all employees. 
• Review Hiring Practices: Widen the talent pool and use inclusive language in job descriptions to attract candidates from various backgrounds. 
• Create Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Establish employee-led groups that offer support and a safe space for employees from underrepresented groups. 
• Foster Inclusive Leadership: Develop and promote leaders from diverse backgrounds and ensure diversity is reflected at all organizational levels. 
• Promote Workplace Inclusion: Create a culture where everyone feels valued and respected by encouraging open communication, providing feedback, and celebrating cultural differences. 
• Offer Mentorship Programs: Invest in mentorship and sponsorship programs to support employees from underrepresented groups in their career advancement. 
• Use Inclusive Language: Adopt language that is respectful, welcoming, and avoids stereotypes to make all employees feel included. 

In Daily Life 

• Educate Yourself: Learn about different cultures, their traditions, and perspectives to build your own global mindset and understanding.
• Be Open-Minded: Embrace differences and remain open to new perspectives to foster a community where everyone feels they can be their authentic self.
• Share Stories: Engage in sharing personal experiences to build empathy, connection, and a shared understanding among people.
• Practice Kindness and Allyship: Stand up for others and actively include people who might be left out or treated unfairly to make a positive change.
• Support Inclusive Groups: Join groups and activities that celebrate diversity and create connections with people from different backgrounds.

from — Google Search. (n.d.-h).

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September 20, 2025
Hudson Valley, New York

This is one of the words/ phrases you can’t say in the new Trump Administration. See a comprehensive list at the Forbidden Words Project.

image: venus star\ © Holly Troy 2025