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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
Today First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles boasts a membership of nearly twenty thousand. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 With a generation of listeners boasting shorter attention spans and having a glut of releases at their disposal, projects tend to get discarded within weeks, and this kind of move can help alleviate that. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
That standard still holds for his frequent barrages of boasts, insults, threats, grouses and indecipherable dispatches via Truth Social. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 There are few places where contradictions between the president's boasts and the economic reality of his tariffs are more likely to collide ahead of November's midterm elections than in battleground Michigan, which holds its primary on Tuesday. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • Seaver, who announced Parton’s death at the age of 80, bragged about the deal in Haiti in that message, court records show.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This post contains spoilers for The Diplomat Season 4, now streaming on Netflix.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers started by making a single, long protein that contained the protease, the sequence it was designed to target, and a fluorescent protein.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • According to character descriptions provided by the streamer, Mantzoukas plays Lambros, a local store owner and occasional looter of the treasures unearthed at the dig site.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is a treasure, and a public good Arkansans have reason to support.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile the star accessorized with matching pointy pumps and loaded up on glittering jewels courtesy of Cartier.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Diamond jewels by Cartier, including the house’s Agrafe earrings, completed Chan’s look.
    — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For me, at least, the highlight was getting to see Angie throwing up over the side of the boat.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The London edition of Frieze, a longstanding highlight on the global art calendar that draws an annual pilgrimage of high-net-worth collectors, advisors, dealers, curators, institutional directors and amateurs to the British capital.
    — Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As private longing collides with honor and social codes, each character has to reckon with what their choices cost.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The honor recognizes artists who remain relevant through their artistic and personal contributions, and whose influence has made a significant impact on Latin music around the world.
    — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There was supposed to be more champagne, a trophy to raise, and the first World Series three-peat by a National League team to jot down in the history books.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Smart bets say yes, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other songs worthy of the trophy this year.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Some will say past results don’t matter, but many of TCU’s veterans are used to beating Baylor and take pride it in.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the reputation that surrounded them, there was humor, loyalty, and pride.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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