To Promote

1. (transitive) To raise (someone) to a more important, responsible, or remunerative job or rank.
2. (transitive) To advocate or urge on behalf of (something or someone); to attempt to popularize or sell by means of advertising or publicity.
3. (transitive) To encourage, urge or incite.
4. (sports, usually in passive form) To elevate to the above league.
5. (transitive, chemistry) To increase the activity of (a catalyst) by changing its surface structure.
6. (transitive, chess) To exchange (a pawn) for a queen or other piece when it reaches the eighth rank.
7. (intransitive, Singapore) To move on to a subsequent stage of education.

Antonyms

• (raise rank): demote, relegate
• (advocate or urge on behalf of): denigrate, oppose