BOAST Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

boast 1 of 2

verb

Definition of boast

as in to brag

to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess he boasted about his latest killing in real estate so I thought he should be the one to pay for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to contain

to have within the hotel boasts nearly 50 rooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

boast

2 of 2

noun

ˈbōst

as in treasure

an asset that brings praise or renown the school's boast was a winning football team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 governor boasted that the new Belmont Park represents the bright future of the sport of horse racing, which has a significant footprint in New York with the 150-year-old Saratoga Race Course upstate. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 Enthusiasts found a powerful champion in famed comedian and auto aficionado Jay Leno, who boasts more than 150 vehicles in his personal collection. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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

Visit Jacksonville brags that the food diversity the city boasts is a result of the presence of Camp Lejeune, which brings in people from all over the country, and the world.

— Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Hamas officials bragged that the currency would be untraceable and their websites offered instructions for how to make anonymous donations, the affidavits say.

— Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of brag

Verb

Another endearing dining feature at the property is its honesty pantry containing drinks and snacks to go and a coffee station for early risers—guests can feel free to pad about any time of day or night.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
As promulgated last month, ballots must use envelopes with an election-mail logo that can to be scanned using high-speed processing equipment and contain a barcode unique to each voter.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of contain

Noun

And more treasures await in nearby towns like New Preston and Falls Village that have shops filled with both antiques and local craft.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Top it off with one of Róhe’s signatures—a drapey satin top—and a pendant necklace from their display case of treasures, featuring vintage silver jewelry alongside the house’s contemporary styles.

— Madeline Fass, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of treasure

Noun

Domingo arrived on the red carpet in Valentino (30 percent of which is owned by Kering) with jewels by Boucheron, as the Oscar nominee was named the jeweler’s first American ambassador earlier this year.

— Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Each is differentiated by different colors and patterns, but common detailing comes in the form of colorful jewel studs, safety pins, distressed soles and bright orange cheetah print insoles.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of jewel

Noun

Their jokey interactions provide the episode with its comic highlight.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Phillip Lambert Duke, 42, of Orlando, came to Universal Studios Hollywood to experience the West Coast edition of Halloween Horror Nights but said Hollywood Drift will be a highlight of the trip.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of highlight

Noun

But at the end of last term, Madrid president Florentino Perez turned to him to shake up a side which had failed to win a major trophy for a second successive season.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Margo’s Got Money Troubles, The Pitt, and Widow’s Bay all picked up hecka trophies.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of trophy

Noun

In positioning New York as not just the center of our reality but others as well, Control Resonant continues a proud tradition of using the city as a monument to human pride contrasting against an inhuman menace.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
The trio have a stable of young filmmakers in their roster and pride themselves on finding new talent early.

— Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of pride

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“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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