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

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

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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

Both this week raised their offers: first, Fox boosted its offer to 14 pounds per share, Comcast then trumped that with a bid of 14.75 pounds per share. — Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, "U.K. Takeover Panel Sets Minimum Price Disney Would Have to Pay for Sky," 13 July 2018 Known as ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, these particles have a million times more energy than has ever been produced in an earthbound particle accelerator, but what boosts them to such colossal energies is unknown. — Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, "Ghostly particle caught in polar ice ushers in new way to look at the universe," 12 July 2018 There were other contributors in this one, including starter Junior Guerra, who went six innings and allowed only one run, boosting his record to 6-5 with a sparkling 2.79 ERA. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 10, Braves 3: Jesus Aguilar continues a torrid season with two homers and four RBI," 8 July 2018 Ahead of the 2018 elections, the Florida Education Association is pushing candidates for state office to pledge to boost teacher salaries to the national average over the next five years. — Adam Wollner, miamiherald, "Florida Influencers: Teacher pay ranks as top education issue of 2018," 2 July 2018 Moreover, those disagreements have been outweighed by delight that the President has delivered on areas like tax cuts, boosts to military spending and judges. — Philip Elliott, Time, "Republican Allies Warn Trump on Trade," 2 July 2018 Hoffman boosted the lead to 3-0 and Rudy and Madison Mote also added goals to extend the lead to 5-0 with 11:26 left in the half. — Katherine Dunn, baltimoresun.com, "Jenner's draw leads to Bakes' OT winner in South's 10-9 victory in girls Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Game," 1 July 2018 Lee has seniority, distinctive politics, and might well give the party the energy boost it’s been needing since 2016. — Sarah Jones, The New Republic, "Tuesday’s primaries inspire leftists reach for Democratic leadership.," 28 June 2018 Contamination costs an average of $125 per ton, according to floridarecycles.org, a website created to help Florida boost its recycling rate to 75 percent by 2020. — Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orange County peering into recycling bins to check for no-nos like greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some government borrowers could get an additional market boost from a recent Supreme Court decision banning public-employee contracts that require workers to pay union dues. — Heather Gillers, WSJ, "Municipal Bonds Are Scarce. That’s Good News for Borrowers," 8 July 2018 So are scooters, electric motorcycles, and other ways to get an electric boost while riding on two wheel. — Andrew Moseman, Popular Mechanics, "Every Kind of Bike Is Going Electric," 22 June 2018 Allen got an unexpected boost when Dameon Willis Jr. decided to return for his redshirt senior season. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: Looking at IU football's post-spring depth chart," 6 June 2018 In some cases, an employer might match those contributions, providing an extra boost to those long-term retirement savings. — Andrew Menachem, miamiherald, "Two big challenges facing women in retirement planning," 3 June 2018 President Trump gave Republican John Cox the endorsement he’s wished for Friday, supplying the San Diego-area businessman with an instant boost in the June 5 primary for governor. — John Wildermuth, San Francisco Chronicle, "Trump endorses John Cox in California governor’s race," 18 May 2018 But neither did the Women of Troy, who got an unexpected boost when Lyndsey Lopes won the high jump and led the Trojans to a 1-4 finish. — Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, "Oregon men remain on pace for the Pac-12 track title; USC and Oregon in tussle for women's title," 12 May 2018 Third, pet therapy: Spending time with a pet can help combat feelings of loneliness by giving us an oxytocin boost. — Cari Romm, CNN, "Seven simple ways to cope with loneliness," 8 May 2018 Third, pet therapy: Spending time with a pet can help combat feelings of loneliness by giving us an oxytocin boost. — Cari Romm, The Cut, "7 Therapists on What to Do When You Feel Lonely," 3 May 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.