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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
Teased in Berlin and Annecy, the epic Viking tale produced by Veslemøy Ruud Zwart boasts a stellar English language voice cast including Ella Purnell, Rita Ora, Alan Carr and Anton Lesser. Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Northwestern boasts college football's newest, priciest stadium. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
The AirPods Pro 3 boast new AI-powered features such as hearing protection, live language translation, heart rate monitoring, and fitness tracking, making these buds smarter than ever. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 Today, Netanyahu’s boast has boomeranged, transformed from an electoral asset into an advertisement of his diminished influence. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • Placed in a jail cell wired with hidden microphones, Jester bragged to his cellmate that when Jackson tried to fight back, he pistol-whipped the rapper and shot him three times in the back.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • His parents and relatives dote on him, while his parents brag about his accomplishments to their friends.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Cohen Building originally housed the Social Security Administration, an important piece of the New Deal legacy, and contains frescoes painted in the 1940s by famed artist Seymour Fogel on the entrance lobby walls, Okin said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Paul Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash.
    Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Once an official restitution request is made for the Ségou treasure – in this case by Senegal — then two committees, including experts from France and the requesting country, plus government representatives, will examine the case.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The building where the treasure was found is owned by the Belgian charity CAW Oost-Vlaanderen, which offers support to people in difficulty.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Alexandra would wear the jewel in her coronation crown, as would her successors Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
    Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In the latter days of the Shopping Mall Era, the Georgia Square Mall was a jewel of Athens commerce.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The episode picks up when Bret and Robert have their first tense interaction — their vaguely hostile and lightly homoerotic back-and-forth continues to be the highlight of the show for me.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • While competing in the games was one highlight, Phillips said her first visit to Israel was also personally meaningful for three main reasons.
    Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • As a freshman last season, Ehler racked up 298 digs, 196 kills and 57 aces for Andrean (16-16, 10-2), earning All-Northwest Crossroads Conference and all-district honors.
    Noah Poser, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • During his illustrious career, Lucisano was honored with five David di Donatello awards, including a lifetime achievement honor in 2009, as well as four Nastri d’Argento Silver Ribbon awards.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • With their victory, Cameroon became just the fourth nation to lift the WAFCON trophy since 1998 and the third to win both the men’s and women’s Africa Cup of Nations (alongside Nigeria and South Africa).
    Emily Olsen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The 41-year-old is widely considered one of the best players in history, winning five Ballon d’Or awards in addition to a host of major trophies and record-breaking achievements.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Johnson took pride in the team having only two penalties after emphasizing being disciplined on all three sides of the ball.
    Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Intense pride in their home has resulted in both protective zoning codes and an inbred reluctance to sell.
    Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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