boost

verb \ ˈbüst \

Definition of boost

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

See boost defined for English-language learners

See boost defined for kids

Examples of boost in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of boost from the Web

Caray broadcast three different teams, became part of the show himself, and was without question boosted by the national reach of WGN.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Mellinger Minutes: Royals scoreless streak, Chiefs running backs, NFL’s future," 29 Aug. 2017
The consultant also recommended lawmakers increase the normal retirement age to 65 for teachers and to discontinue allowing teachers to use leftover sick days to boost their retirement benefits.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Bevin consultant proposes cutting retirees' pensions, moving state workers to 401(k) plans," 28 Aug. 2017
The 700-pound reduction in weight along with a new four-cylinder engine help boost fuel economy, and the smaller size also makes Acadia easier to maneuver, especially around turns and corners.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "New GMC Acadia Denali version gives this SUV the royal treatment," 25 Aug. 2017
BUY NOW Water Boost Micellar Gel Wash, SIMPLE SKINCARE (available at Amazon), $9 Darden recommends using her nightly retinol serum to even tone and boost glow.

— lauren balsamo, Cosmopolitan, "Your Guide to Perfect Skin, Straight From the Experts," 22 Aug. 2017
Bannon’s return is likely to boost both himself and the site.

— tina nguyen, vanityfair.com, "With Bannon Back at Breitbart, a Right-Wing Army Prepares for War," 18 Aug. 2017
One of the best things to boost fertility: a healthy body, Lang says.

— tehrene firman, Redbook, "How to Get Pregnant," 10 Aug. 2017
Sebastián Ballestas sballestas@miamiherald.com The decade-long delay boosted the cost of the renovation by $20 million, Leifman said.

— alexandria bordas, miamiherald, "A mental-health facility 13 years in the making is one vote away from becoming reality," 10 Aug. 2017
For the First Training Block: Start by boosting your aerobic side.

— anthony j. yeung, Esquire, "If You Want to Improve Your Running Times, Don't Do What You're Doing Right Now," 2 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of boost

of obscure origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1801

See Words from the same year

boost Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)

Related Words

elevate, hike, pick up, raise, rear, up, uplift, upraise, uprear

Near Antonyms

depress, drop, lower; sink, submerge, submerse

Synonym Discussion of boost

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

boost

noun

Definition of boost

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

See boost defined for English-language learners

Examples of boost in a Sentence

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 of boost from the Web

If so, such a box-office boost figures to be tough to tangibly measure.

— joedy mccreary, The Seattle Times, "ACC hopes success of Jackson, Clemson provides boost in ’17," 30 Aug. 2017
Louisville is on the hunt for ideas that will use the arts to help the city boost tourism, bolster its economy or even solve some of its problems.

— elizabeth kramer, The Courier-Journal, "Got an art project for Louisville? The city and Jennifer Lawrence Art Fund will help pay for it," 29 Aug. 2017
Our negative emotions can act as catalysts and adrenaline boosts — nervousness in the face of a closing deadline, for instance, might help push you to finish your task on time.

— cody delistraty, The Cut, "You’ll Be Happier If You Let Yourself Feel Bad," 28 Aug. 2017
In the mid-90s, these programs saw a major boost after Congress expanded abstinence education under the 1996 welfare reform bill—and were only propelled further upon the creation of an abstinence-only education federal grant program in 2000.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "Yet Another Study Confirms Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Doesn't Work—But the Trump Administration Still Wants to Fund It," 25 Aug. 2017
But transparency raises awareness about the cost of publishing and helps boost competition, says Leo Waaijers, an OA advocate and retired librarian at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "A bold open-access push in Germany could change the future of academic publishing," 23 Aug. 2017
Returning seniors Alec Fleming and Caleb Chapman give coach Jake Rakoczy a formidable duo at the top of his lineup, and the addition of track standout Gabe Sanchez — who picked cross country over soccer this fall — further boosts Lowell's depth.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "Boys cross country preview: Caleb Chapman chomping at the bit for Lowell," 19 Aug. 2017
The boost — along with a strong home schedule — is expected to push SDSU’s attendance average past 40,000 for only the fourth time in school history.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Aztecs get season ticket sales bump from Chargers fans, strong schedule," 18 Aug. 2017
That win gave NKU the GLVC title that year, a major boost that followed five straight losing seasons in which the Norse never won more than 14 games.

— james weber, Cincinnati.com, "Glory Days: Shields set the tone for NKU national runner-ups," 8 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of boost

noun derivative of ¹boost

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1801

See Words from the same year

boost Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

hindrance

Near Antonyms

constraint, frustration, inhibition, interference, obstruction, repression, restraint; deterrence, discouragement

BOOST Defined for English Language Learners

boost

verb

Definition of boost for English Language Learners

: to increase the force, power, or amount of (something)
: to push or shove (something or someone) up from below

boost

noun

Definition of boost for English Language Learners

: an increase in amount
: help or encouragement
: a push upward

BOOST Defined for Kids

boost

verb \ ˈbüst \

Definition of boost for Students

boosted; boosting

1 :to raise or push up from below

He boosted me through the window.

2 :to make bigger or greater

boost production

—

booster

noun

boost

noun

Definition of boost for Students

:a push up :an act of boosting

Give me a boost over the fence.

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Origin and Etymology of boost

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Synonym Discussion of boost

boost

Definition of boost

Examples of boost in a Sentence

Recent Examples of boost from the Web

Origin and Etymology of boost

boost Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

BOOST Defined for English Language Learners

boost

Definition of boost for English Language Learners

boost

Definition of boost for English Language Learners

BOOST Defined for Kids

boost

Definition of boost for Students

booster

boost

Definition of boost for Students

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