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boast

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word boast distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of boast are brag, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When might brag be a better fit than boast?

The words brag and boast can be used in similar contexts, but brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is crow a more appropriate choice than boast?

In some situations, the words crow and boast are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for boast?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of boast
Verb
The Kentucky Derby boasts the most lucrative purse of the Triple Crown events. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025 Ciel Spa, the 20,000-square-foot wellness space, boasts thermal baths, an outdoor tranquility pool, and 20 treatment rooms. Kareema Bee, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
Noun
This is evident in the boasts of anti-magnetism (which ensures greater precision when exposed to magnetic fields) and shock-proofing (hard-wearing styles that resist mechanical shocks), as well as lengthy warranties. Alex Doak, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 President Donald Trump has wisely muted his boasts of ending the Ukraine war in a day. Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • Saturday's bout isn't just about bragging rights—there's legacy at stake.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Kate calls Joe to brag about this victory, a declaration that turns out to be premature.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • So Koester compiled a database that now contains more than 500,000 missing person searches dating back to the 1970s.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Summary The gut microbiome contains many microorganisms.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The Vatican Museums encompass a centuries-old collection of art and artifacts, including treasures of Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, as well as modern masterworks by Paul Gauguin, Salvador Dalí, and Pablo Picasso, among others.
    Tessa Solomon for ARTnews, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, the land holds rare treasures: titanite crystals shimmering along the Mirage Trail—offering not just geological intrigue but creative direction.
    Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Heiss’s bed would be a platform floating in a room, with no clutter around it; the only other objects would be a curved lamp and a cabinet to hold Heiss’s linen shirts and trousers.
    Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
  • However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The franchise is the crown jewel in Take-Two’s portfolio, accounting for a significant share of revenue and player engagement, and expectations for the upcoming title have been baked into Wall Street forecasts for months.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
  • The downsized performance follows declining attendance at the second jewel in the Triple Crown.
    Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Other highlights include the Palazzo Ravaschieri Museum with a wide-ranging art collection that reaches from the 15th century to the present, and the Risorgimento Museum, one of the country’s most important centers for memorabilia from Italy’s unification period.
    Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • Everything from leafy salads to grilled fish sandwiches served on authentic baguettes make for a perfectly light seaside lunch, though the real highlight is the fresh seafood tower, shared with a bottle of rosé or refreshing cocktails.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Theater's highest honor, getting recognized with a nomination typically leads to an influx in box office sales, which new musicals desperately need during the crowded spring season.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • When Kopitar won the honor in 2023, the Kings center also only had four penalty minutes that season.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The Madrid title is her second WTA 1,000 trophy — the level just below a Grand Slam — this year.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Travis ended up finishing fifth in Heisman trophy voting behind wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterbacks Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and Jayden Daniels, the latter of which took home the award.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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