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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
Related Articles In response to the mural, the city of Bristol, which boasts an international reputation for street art, including producing the artist Banksy, received strong pushback from its local arts community. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Very few production companies can boast about landing major international festival premieres for every project in their slate. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 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
  • Some post screenshots of their trades, bragging about their bets on Sorsby’s misfortune.
    — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Sep. 2026
  • During a hearing over that issue last month, prosecutors revealed jailhouse recordings in which Lavie bragged about exploiting Cloobeck.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In my own experiment, Claude was able to recognize that my genome file did not contain enough information to make reliable conclusions regarding genetic risk scores for common diseases.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Just minutes later, Meyer transferred $10,000 from a fund account containing only investor money to the Meyer Global Partners account.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The real treasures, though, are displayed inside the museum-style glass concierge desk, where artifacts from the original hotel are on loan from the Naples Historical Society.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • When it was closed down in 1539, its treasures, books and relics were seized and its lands and buildings sold off, some to local nobles and gentry, some to the town authorities of Bury.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The table furthest to the left (when walking out of the main dining room) is the crown jewel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Each nail was painted a creamy, satiny nude hue from base to tip, but her ring fingers got a little extra glam, with three rhinestones placed right at the base—a red jewel framed by a diamond to match her ruby-colored outfit, of course.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Food and drink The food is a definite highlight here, with several places to eat and drink.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Related Articles The highlight of the dress was, without a doubt, the bodice, which featured a sheer, birdcage-style rounded scoop neckline with a bevy of tulle ruffles in layers.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Its honors include best serial comic at Lucca Comics & Games 2024 as well as the 71st Shogakukan Manga Award.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Minnesota Lynx coach received 40 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, earning the honor for a record fifth time.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For this mob, watches are as much assets to flip as trophies to collect.
    — Adam Erace, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • They were also presented by Thierry Frémaux with a copy of their Cannes best director award so that both had a trophy.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The other bill Newsom signed, Assembly Bill 1836, expands the availability of state security grants to offsite celebrations like cultural and religious festivals, marches and LGBTQ pride events.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While developing her next feature, Coppola has spent this retrospective year taking stock, watching with a familiar pride as her own children pursue creative paths.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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