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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
  • According to police sources, witnesses said two men threw two bottles containing an unknown substance into the deli.
    Allen Devlin, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The proposal is for one building that would contain three studio apartment homes, 35 one-bedroom apartment homes, and 36 two bedroom apartment homes.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 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
  • These programs,the crown jewels of public diplomacy, also happen to be cheap.
    James K. Glassman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Though most wouldn’t associate diamonds with crystal healing, Huang says the rare jewels—which Aries and Taurus both count among their birthstones—actually hold a meaning of their own.
    Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 7 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
  • Miller also asked Marco Rubio who his favorite rapper is, and the secretary of state gave the honors to Tupac.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor Swift will be adding another trophy to her shelf, as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that the superstar will be inducted into the hall this fall, becoming, at 36, the youngest writer ever to receive the honor.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Villa go in as considerable underdogs — 7/2 to win in normal time and 2/1 to lift the trophy — and pulling it off would represent another big result in what has already been a landmark year for the club.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For one thing, wild places are increasingly threatened by the trophy-hunting industry, scientific study, and corporate exploitation.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • His brand shone as a symbol of national pride and soft power.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rivera nearly stuck the vault, her coach Valeri Liukin beaming with pride.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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