boast 1 of 2

Definition of boastnext

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
Happiness Anytime is the follow-up to 2024’s Leon, which boasted contributions from John Mayer plus veteran Nashville songwriters/musicians Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian. Spin Staff, SPIN, 17 July 2026 Herbert boasts 16 picks, 13 fumbles and four lost for 20 total. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 July 2026
Noun
The Trumpian superlative tic took his boasts well beyond the general. Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The International Federation of American Football counts football-playing members in 79 countries, but the global governing bodies of basketball and soccer boast federations in more than 200 countries. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • But other evidence, including video and text messages of the officer bragging about the shooting, bolstered Martinez’s account and prompted a judge to dismiss the federal charges against her.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Jason bragged about using emotional manipulation over his dead mother to trick Angela.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • During Arriaga’s autopsy, medical examiners found her blood to contain the opiate Demerol at 793 nanograms per milliliter, according to the warrant.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Each cluster contained a simple RLC resonator — a resistor, capacitor, and inductor, a combination that creates an oscillating electrical signal at a particular frequency.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon, sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622 while carrying silver, gold and emeralds.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • Vintage Clothes, Jewelry, and Watches Paxton says vintage clothes, jewelry, and watches are one of the top categories for hidden attic treasures worth big bucks.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • With each passing day that the jewels remain missing, fears grow that these pieces of French national heritage have been dismantled, their famed emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds cut apart and sold on the black market.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
  • Considered the jewel of the offseason Ryan Weathers trade with the Yankees, Lewis is second in the Southern League with 17 homers.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Working with longtime makeup artist Ernesto Casillas, Z showcased a glowy, poreless base with super soft rosy blush diffused on her cheeks, finished with a natural, luminous highlight across her cheekbones like a dapple of sunlight.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
  • Another sale highlight, and the only item other than the pen and switch set to sell for six figures, was the pressure hatch from the Skylab III command module, flown to and from the United States’ first space station in 1974.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Back in February, the guild bestowed its top film honors on Frankenstein — which went on to win Best Makeup & Hairstyling at the Academy Awards — Sinners and One Battle After Another.
    Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 14 July 2026
  • The Daytime Emmy Awards nominations come on the heels of IndieWire winning Best Website at this June’s SoCal Journalism Awards, the second year in a row the website received the honor.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Golden Boot History The top scorer in the World Cup has been recognized since 1930, but the award got an official name and trophy, the Golden Shoe, in 1982.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • France’s departing coach, Didier Deschamps, is already a World Cup great, having won the title as France’s captain in 1998 and led the team to the trophy 20 years later.
    Steve Douglas, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Americans felt a sense of national pride from the throngs of international tourists who fell in love with Walmart and ranch dressing.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • In the beginning, the Genesis Convention Center reigned over downtown Gary as a symbol of ambition and pride.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on boast

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster