boast

noun

\ ˈbōst

Definition of boast

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a statement expressing excessive pride in oneself : the act or an instance of boasting (see boast entry 2) : brag It may sound like a boast, but I truly am very wealthy.

2 : a cause for pride

boast

verb (1)

boasted; boasting; boasts

Definition of boast (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to praise oneself extravagantly in speech : speak of oneself with excessive pride boasting about her accomplishments

2 archaic : glory, exult

transitive verb

1 : to speak of or assert with excessive pride He liked to boast that he was the richest man in town.

2a : to possess and often call attention to (something that is a source of pride) boasts a new stadium

b : have, contain a room boasting no more than a desk and a chair

boast

verb (2)

boasted; boasting; boasts

Definition of boast (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to shape (stone) roughly in sculpture and stonecutting as a preliminary to finer work

Other Words from boast Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about boast

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Other Words from boast

Noun

boastful \ ˈbōst-fəl

\ adjective

boastfully \ ˈbōst-fə-lē

\ adverb

boastfulness noun

Verb (1)

boaster noun

Choose the Right Synonym for boast

Verb (1)

boast, brag, vaunt, crow mean to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments. boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration boasts of every trivial success , but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride. the town boasts one of the best museums in the area brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself. bragging of their exploits vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag. vaunted his country's military might crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging. crowed after winning the championship

Examples of boast in a Sentence

Noun

When he says he's the richest man in town, he's not just making an idle boast. We were offended by his boast that he would easily beat us. The museum's proudest boast is its collection of rare gems.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Credit on this point goes to Donald Trump, who mocked Ms. Warren’s genetic boast and no doubt prompted her to get the truth out before the 2020 campaign begins. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "We’re All Native Americans Now," 15 Oct. 2018 The Cubs backed up Arrieta’s boast and went on to win the division. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs hoping clubhouse chemistry stays same despite changes," 18 Mar. 2018 His boasts about his residence, bank account and intelligence sound like someone who wants membership in a club that has repeatedly rejected him. — Eugene Scott, Washington Post, "Trump’s dislike of — and desire to be a part of — the ‘elite’," 21 June 2018 Shows including One Day at a Time and Jane the Virgin boast talented casts illustrating a variety of experiences that Latinx people can identify with. — Isabella Gomez, Teen Vogue, "The Emmys 2018 Are More Diverse Than Ever — But Latinx Stories Are Still Missing," 17 Sep. 2018 Mr Yameen, meanwhile, campaigns on a mix of warnings about threats to the country’s Islamic faith and boasts of his record in luring investment. — The Economist, "Democracy is foundering in the Maldives," 21 June 2018 Prepare to watch the NRA boast about getting higher donations. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Parkland activists respond to Santa Fe school shooting: “You didn’t deserve this”," 19 May 2018 The contracts oblige the companies to separate 20 percent of the waste for recycling, while other cities boast of separating 80 percent, according to environmental experts. — Washington Post, "A big stink erupts over landfills ringing Russia’s capital," 19 June 2018 At a rally in Montana on Thursday, the president found yet another role for John: as a foil for one of his exaggerated boasts. — Amanda Svachula, BostonGlobe.com, "What’s the deal with President Trump and Elton John?," 7 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After success with the Baby Lips lip balm, Maybelline was able to create a smooth and creamy gloss (which costs $4.99) that boasts four-hour moisture and shine. — Vara Gianna, Seventeen, "11 Gorgeous Lip Glosses That Won't Break The Bank," 22 Jan. 2019 MARGARET RYAN Ryan, 54, has a resume line Trump likes that no other woman on the list can boast: military service. — Jonathan Allen /, NBC News, "One of these women could be Trump's Supreme Court pick," 2 July 2018 And that's what Truex has that the two other two — and no other winning driver in NASCAR, really — can boast. — Brendan Marks, charlotteobserver, "NASCAR catches a spark: What Martin Truex Jr. brings that other contenders don't," 27 June 2018 Other games can boast excitement and running stories of achievement and defeat, but few are designed to so consistently offer this type of narrativized payoff. — Julie Muncy, WIRED, "Fortnite Is Everywhere, But It's Perfect on the Nintendo Switch," 23 June 2018 For the most part, the offerings at the new space will boast the same Israeli fare popular at the Peninsula and South Bay locations — hummus bowls, skewers, pita sandwiches. — Justin Phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Palo Alto’s wildly popular Oren’s Hummus mini-chain is expanding to SF," 12 June 2018 Her client roster boasted former supermodel Janice Dickinson, who alleged that Bill Cosby raped her in the 1980s and who is suing the disgraced comedian for defamation. — Bryan Smith, Los Angeles Magazine, "How Lisa Bloom Bounced Back From Defending Harvey Weinstein," 8 June 2018 Up until the 1970s, Valtellina boasted 7,400 acres dedicated to winegrowing; today that number has fallen to around 1,800. — Christopher Ross, WSJ, "The Hidden Valley in the Italian Alps Where Winemakers Are Working Against Nature," 15 Feb. 2019 Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland Shooter, boasted a MAGA hat avatar on his Instagram, and was seen around the school wearing one. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "How the MAGA Hat Became a Symbol of Hate," 31 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.