Synonyms for For

Updated · Synonyms List editorial team

Synonyms for For

Quick answer: Useful alternatives to for include because of, on behalf of, in favor of, toward, and per. Because for works as a preposition of purpose, reason, price, time, and support, a single word rarely fits every case. The lists below match each substitute to a use, with an example sentence that shows the rewrite.

Closest Synonyms for For

because of
Use for a reason. He was fined because of speeding.
on behalf of
Use when speaking or acting for others. She spoke on behalf of the team.
in favor of
Use for supporting an idea. Please vote in favor of the bill.
in exchange for
Use for swaps and payments. I paid ten dollars in exchange for the book.
toward
Use for a goal being saved up. They are saving toward a house.
per
Use for rates. Tickets cost ten dollars per person.
as
Use for the role of an item. He used a crate as a table.
in place of
Use for substitution. She spoke in place of her manager.
on account of
Use for a cause. The game was canceled on account of rain.
since
Use for the conjunction for, meaning because. He stayed home, since he was tired.
in support of
Use for backing. Thousands marched in support of the law.
addressed to
Use for letters and messages. This note is addressed to you.

Formal Synonyms for For

by reason of
Gives a cause. The tenant was evicted by reason of unpaid rent.
in consideration of
Names what is given in a deal. In consideration of the fee, the firm will provide training.
in lieu of
Means instead of. Cash was accepted in lieu of a check.
with regard to
Introduces a topic. With regard to the budget, no change is planned.
as regards
Introduces a topic in a formal way. As regards the schedule, nothing has changed.
in the interest of
Gives a purpose of benefit. In the interest of safety, the road is closed.
with a view to
States a goal. He studied with a view to becoming a nurse.
to the benefit of
Shows who gains. The fund works to the benefit of local schools.
on grounds of
Gives a stated reason. He was dismissed on grounds of misconduct.
in respect of
Links to a matter. In respect of the loan, the bank agreed to wait.

Informal Synonyms for For

'cause
Short for because. I stayed home 'cause I was sick.
at
Use for prices. The shirt sold at ten dollars.
up to
Use for who decides. It is up to you to decide.
to get
Use for errands. I went out to get milk.
just to
Use for light purposes. We drove out just to see the view.
so as to
Use for purpose. He left early so as to avoid traffic.

Stronger and Weaker Words

dedicated to
Stronger. Use when a thing is set apart for one purpose. The fund is dedicated to local schools.
devoted to
Stronger. Use for deep commitment. She devoted her life to teaching.
committed to
Stronger. Use for a firm promise. He is committed to the cause.
about
Weaker. Use for feelings and topics. I'm excited about the trip.
regarding
Weaker. Use for loose connection to a topic. Regarding the budget, we will meet Friday.
after
Weaker. Use for names. The school was named after his uncle.

Antonyms for For

  1. against
  2. opposed to
  3. versus
  4. anti
  5. without
  6. contrary to

How to Pick the Right Synonym

Look at what for is doing in the sentence. For a reason, use because of or on account of. For support, use in favor of or in support of. For price, use at or in exchange for, and for rates, use per. In formal writing, in the interest of, with regard to, and in lieu of add precision. Keep for when it already reads clearly.

Best Synonym by Situation

In a legal contract
Use in consideration of for deals. In consideration of the fee, the vendor will deliver the goods.
In a thank-you note
Use on behalf of for groups. On behalf of the whole team, thank you.
In a price list
Use per for rates. Parking is five dollars per hour.
In a news report
Use on account of for causes. The ferry was delayed on account of fog.
In a formal letter
Use with regard to for topics. With regard to your request, we have approved it.
In an essay
Use as for roles. The author uses weather as a symbol of change.
In a ballot guide
Use in favor of for support. Fifty members voted in favor of the change.
In a text message
Use 'cause for casual tone. Can't come 'cause I have work.
In a shopping list
Use to get for errands. I'm going out to get bread.
In a safety notice
Use in the interest of for caution. In the interest of safety, wear a helmet.

Example Sentences

  1. The match was postponed because of heavy rain.
  2. The coach spoke on behalf of the whole team.
  3. She voted in favor of the new bike lane.
  4. The bakery sells loaves at three dollars each.
  5. Rooms cost eighty dollars per night.
  6. The ferry stopped running on account of high winds.
  7. He accepted a gift card in lieu of a refund.
  8. With regard to your question, the answer is yes.
  9. In the interest of fairness, both sides will speak.
  10. He took the extra shift in place of a sick friend.

Related Phrases and Idioms

For example
A phrase that introduces a sample case.
For the time being
Until something else changes.
For good
Permanently, with no return.
For instance
A phrase that introduces an example.
For the sake of
Out of concern for or in order to benefit.
For what it's worth
A phrase used when offering an opinion that may be of little value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for for?

It depends on the meaning. Use because of for a reason, on behalf of for acting in place of others, in favor of for support, per for rates, and in exchange for when something is traded.

Can I replace for with because?

Only when for is a conjunction, as in he stayed home, for he was tired. In that case, because or since works. When for is a preposition before a noun, use because of instead.

What is a formal word for for?

In lieu of, in consideration of, and with regard to are formal options. In lieu of means instead of, in consideration of names what is given in a deal, and with regard to introduces a topic.

What is the opposite of for?

Against is the clearest opposite when for means in support of. Opposed to, versus, and anti also work, and without contrasts with for when for means together with or in possession of.

Sources and Further Reading

Back to top

More in More Words