boost

verb

\ ˈbüst

boosted; boosting; boosts

Definition of boost

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to push or shove up from below boosted him up over the fence

2 : increase, raise plans to boost production an extra holiday to boost morale

3 : to promote the cause or interests of : plug a campaign to boost the new fashions

4 : to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)

5 slang : steal, shoplift

intransitive verb

slang : shoplift

boost

noun

Definition of boost (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a push upward gave her a boost into the saddle

2 : an act that brings help or encouragement : assist an innovation that has been a boost to the entire industry

3 : an increase in amount a boost in prices

Other Words from boost Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about boost

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Synonyms & Antonyms for boost

Synonyms: Verb

heave, heft, hoist, jack (up), upheave

Synonyms: Noun

abetment, aid, assist, assistance, backing, hand, help, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms: Noun

hindrance

Choose the Right Synonym for boost

Verb

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight. lift the chair while I vacuum raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position. scouts raising a flagpole rear may add an element of suddenness to raise. suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied. elevated the taste of the public hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. hoisted the cargo on board heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. heaved the heavy crate inside boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push. boosted his brother over the fence

Examples of boost in a Sentence

Verb

She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders. boosted the child into her car seat

Noun

a boost in wheat production Exercise can sometimes provide a boost of energy. After layoffs at the company, employees needed a boost in morale. One company's innovation has proven to be a boost to the entire industry. Give the boy a boost onto the stage, will you?

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Inflation was cooling, and Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan argued that technological advances were boosting productivity, allowing economic growth to accelerate without price pressures. — Justin Lahart, WSJ, "Warning to Investors: Powell Is No Greenspan," 15 Jan. 2019 Some evidence suggests that skilled immigrants boost wages. — Hope Yen, The Seattle Times, "AP fact check: Trump isn’t holed up nonstop at White House," 14 Jan. 2019 First, a moisturizer that contains both hyaluronic acid and SPF, which helps her skin stay hydrated and boosted. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Watch Eiza González’s 8-Minute Wake-Up-and-Go Beauty Routine," 24 Dec. 2018 The Trump administration is trying to boost the capabilities of Afghan security forces and increase military pressure on the Taliban in the hope of forcing them to negotiate a peace. — Lolita C. Baldor, chicagotribune.com, "Army ponders changes after insider attack that killed soldier in Afghanistan," 14 July 2018 Tan boosts China’s clear emergence as a global leader with the looming presence of the World Expo – proof that the world now comes to China with both money and manpower. — Terry Hong, The Christian Science Monitor, "'What We Were Promised' depicts post-Mao China in a deft debut novel set in Shanghai," 13 July 2018 The startup is betting that its no-fee policy and a commitment to their donors will boost use of the platform: The money must be used to purchase a home, and HomeFundIt will hold onto the fund for a maximum of one year to protect the donors. — Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, "Should Your Friends Crowdfund The Down Payment On Your Home? This Start-Up Thinks So," 18 Dec. 2018 Intel Singhal said the three approaches should boost the performance of Sunny Cove CPUs. — Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, "Surprise! Intel reveals 10nm Sunny Cove CPU cores that go deeper, wider, and faster," 12 Dec. 2018 The yeast, understandably, is loving this—adding sugar gives it more to feed on and will boost the alcohol content of the final product. — Casey Johnston, Ars Technica, "Store-bought is not enough: My first hard cider homebrew," 22 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Guarente explains that the boost merely brings people’s levels to what they would previously have reached naturally. — Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, "Can Elysium Health's Basis Pill Change Your Life?," 26 Dec. 2018 Talent will out, as far as Bergdorf Goodman in Quinn’s case, but the global publicity boost was invaluable, too. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, "Meghan Markle, Kate Moss, Richard Quinn, and More From Inside the 2018 Fashion Awards," 11 Dec. 2018 Republicans agreed to a massive budget deal this year to give the military the biggest funding boost in history. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "Paul Ryan’s regrets, explained for Paul Ryan.," 29 Nov. 2018 Add in the high cost of living in many coastal cities, and the recent boosts in pay are seen by many as a work-in-progress. — Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, "As economy hums, fewer workers make minimum wage," 6 July 2018 Sufficiently high levels of lithium result in the transfer of an electron to molybdenum (which in turn alters the structure of the material) and a boost of its conductance. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Researchers make RAM from a phase change we don’t entirely understand," 18 Dec. 2018 The median salary for consultants who returned to professional services firms like McKinsey Co. or Deloitte Touche LLP after getting an M.B.A. was $162,000 a year, the highest pay in any sector, and a boost of $82,000 annually. — Kelsey Gee, WSJ, "Looking to Double Your Salary? Try an M.B.A.," 7 Dec. 2018 Leading killer-whale scientists and researchers are calling for removal of four dams on the Lower Snake River and a boost of water over the dams to save southern resident killer whales from extinction. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Orca survival may be impossible without Lower Snake River dam removal, scientists say," 15 Oct. 2018 Mostly, it's used not to give the Ram a boost of oomph on the highway, but to flatten out gaps in engines' torque bands at low speeds. — Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, "Ram 1500 eTorque: Why the Electrified Pickup Truck Is Even Better," 19 Sep. 2018

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