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boast

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noun

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
With the aforementioned funding from the DCMS, the NFTS campus will soon boast accommodation for disabled students. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025 The Dodgers boast one of the largest payrolls in MLB, but there is always room to improve their roster. Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
From hyperloops to solar roofs to trillion-dollar savings from federal budget cuts by DOGE, Musk has developed a reputation for excessive boasts and telling outright whoppers. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 The complex boasts upgraded weight rooms with smart racks that guide athletes through their workouts. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • Even her mom had let go of her dream of her daughter becoming a nurse, now bragging to her friends that her little girl was working for the NFL.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • However, a jailhouse informant told a DA investigator in a recorded interview that Neary bragged in jail about stabbing Miner.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • McSweeney’s elevation appeared bizarre, but Bailey and his selection team have openly stated their belief that the Test team should contain the best six batters regardless of position.
    Sam Dalling, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But much like Week 1 against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, the Chiefs’ inability to contain the opposing quarterback in timely spots lost them the football game.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Visit an antique store In honor of Kim's Antiques, pop into a local vintage shop and try to find any Stars Hollow-like treasures — maybe even a quirky piece for your home.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Vandalism, trash and human waste will tarnish natural treasures that are the envy of the world.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans balked, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage by standing in the way of continued federal funding unless their health-care demands are met.
    Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While Avatar 2 will have 90% of the Imax, One Battle After Another will hold onto its Imax 70MM auditoriums.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Friends had described the city as the jewel of southern Spain.
    Fiona Mozley, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
  • These little Swedish jewels are a reminder that even the most stoic and pragmatic carmakers can inspire with a brilliant high note of design and imagination.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Williams said Tuesday’s dedication of an equipment room in his name is the highlight of his working career.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Flagg played well, with a couple of nice defensive plays, including a highlight-reel block that led to a dunk by Anthony Davis.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nonetheless, commonplace platitudes about honor and bravery take precedence over the feminist undertones Wyatt may aspire to.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, state lawmakers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Illinois moved to establish state holidays in Kirk’s honor, while proposals in Arizona and Florida would rename highways after him.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The guitar has a hole in it from when one of Chapman’s GMA Dove Awards trophies fell from the top shelf of his studio and landed on the guitar (the trophy itself is also on display alongside his guitar).
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Aces are two years removed from winning back-to-back WNBA championships and have arguably the best player in the world on their roster in A'ja Wilson, who is looking to add another piece to her trophy case.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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