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
Ibrahim chose West Town, an area that today boasts about two dozen galleries. Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 Its ocean boasts rich fishing grounds and critical seabed minerals. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 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
  • For decades that math was simply the cost of doing business in industries nobody brags about owning.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • The deal gave the freshman mayor the opportunity to brag about his fiscal chops.
    Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • But the strength of the rotation also depends on the conflict in the Middle East remaining contained.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The book contains Ahn’s mother’s recipes and conversations between the mother and daughter.
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Here's what to know about one of Europe's most significant historical treasures.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026
  • In return, the British Museum will loan treasures from the Sutton Hoo hoard — artifacts from a 7th century Anglo Saxon ship burial — and other items to museums in Normandy.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Aerospace was the crown jewel inside Honeywell and the primary reason many investors owned shares in the conglomerate.
    Jeff Marks,Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Earlier in the year that jewel grew significantly in size and scope to include the OMNIA Dayclub & Skybar.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • The highlight, aside from Lendeborg getting to ask Johnson a lighthearted question in Johnson’s own postgame media scrum deep inside the arena’s lower level?
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • Another highlight was a top made from gray cotton socks created after the Fall/Winter 1991-92 collection, which went for €117,000.
    Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • In 2014, Pope Francis abolished the future use of the monsignor title — which denotes a specific honor — for most priests.
    Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • He was inducted in 1998 as a Disney Legend and has won a Tony, a Grammy, a People’s Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement honor (now the Actor Awards).
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Winning another Emmy is off the table, though, making this a race between the gifted Seehorn, a perennial Emmy underachiever, and Russell, nominated five times as actor and still looking for her first trophy.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Brazil had high hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2002 and finally adding a sixth star to its famed canary yellow jersey, but the long wait continues.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The history of Kaskaskia is full of stories of resilience and stubborn pride, but also of the inevitability of nature.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Schlanger’s pride in his Jewishness forced Goldstein to reflect on her upbringing.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 11 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