boast 1 of 2

Definition of boastnext

boast

2 of 2

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
Edward Herrmann boasted one of the longest résumés of any Gilmore Girls star when the show premiered in 2000. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 Today, the school boasts 31 varsity sports teams. Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026
Noun
SanDisk Extreme Game Drive for PlayStation 5 Deal The SanDisk Extreme Game Drive for PS5 boasts read speeds of up to 1,000MB per second, which ensures quick transfer between the external SSD and your console's internal storage. George Yang, PC Magazine, 13 May 2026 In opening statements last month, Deputy District Attorney Brad Ng said several men, including Smiley Martin, had made boasts earlier that evening in videos recorded on Marconi Avenue that helped fuel the confrontation between rival groups. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • Goldberg was obsessive about using original materials, apparently bragging to neighbors about outbidding Martha Stewart on a set of tiles at auction.
    Jesse Armas, Curbed, 16 June 2026
  • Delivering epic news to your Chinese American family and friends looks nothing like those American families on TV that gas you up, throw you a party, and brag to all their friends.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The Chiefs Hall of Honor on the second-level concourse contains the organization’s four Super Bowl trophies, memorabilia, exhibits and documents, and there is no admission to walk through history.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
  • The farm system does not contain an endless supply of prospects.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • The pair kept venturing farther across the rocks, hoping to find more treasures along the shoreline.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
  • Witter is Desert Vintage’s longest-serving employee, save for its current owners, Roberto Cowan and Salima Boufelfel, and is in charge of categorizing and dating the rare and glorious treasures that come through the shop’s doors.
    Max Berlinger, Vogue, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • His furniture will become the crown jewel of a collection that previously focused on Chicago broadcast history, but now aspires to be the Smithsonian of late-night TV.
    Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
  • The pearlescent wand features a green jewel and a keychain clip.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Specialty dining is a highlight.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • One highlight of this tenure was his descent into a fit of giggles while interviewing Carol Channing.
    Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • This squishy honor of a marshmallow doesn’t even require devouring it—the indicator that psychologists took as the signal of its depleted future life.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • The Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG) took home three honors at the annual James Beard Foundation Media Awards ceremony, held in Chicago on June 13.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Ronaldo scored in the semi-finals and the final of the Nations League to win his third trophy with Portugal.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • The first two seasons also raked in a total of 25 Emmy nominations and nine wins, including Zendaya’s back-to-back trophies for her performance as drug addict Rue Bennett and a guest actor victory for Colman Domingo as her sponsor Ali.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Though all eyes will be on North America, the national pride this event inspires – and the staggered start times that will allow fans watching back in their home countries to take in their teams during sort-of-normal hours – will stir incredible excitement and patriotism all around the world.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
  • From agricultural legacy, alternative modernization and pride in heritage, a lifestyle of independence and historical significance can be witnessed.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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