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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
The group boasted more than $100 million in commitments, with $50 million to come from Brockman and his wife Anna. — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Other interior amenities include a 24-seat movie theater, and a primary retreat with dedicated massage and salon rooms, while the grounds boast multiple terraces and a large pool. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 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
  • As one of only five dancers throughout Dancing With the Stars‘ history to be promoted from troupe to pro after just one season, Hailey Bills has every right to brag.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Some post screenshots of their trades, bragging about their bets on Sorsby’s misfortune.
    — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 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
  • As such, the house’s fragrances are photographed in the same way no matter the price point, with the models wearing jewels.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ability to flex pricing power The crown jewel of Applied Aerospace’s investment thesis lies in its 87% single-source contract mix.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • One highlight for me was my session with an energy healer named Djik Dewa, who balances out the body’s chakras with gentle massage, chanting, and deep eye contact—a disconcerting but powerful experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The highlight is the garden terrace with an open-air bathroom, complete with a wooden bath and a rainforest shower.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Hong Kong director, whose classics include Boat People and A Simple Life, previously received Busan’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year honor in 2014 and Venice’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement in 2020.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The annual gathering honors Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, which falls on the last weekend of September.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Alcaraz played in the Laver Cup last week, helping Europe claim the trophy with a singles win over Taylor Fritz.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pike, 18 at the time and now 50, kept a fragment of Slemmer's skull as a trophy and showed it off to classmates before her arrest.
    — Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The 44-year-old first-time SEC coach has taken great pride in returning the edge that has been missing from Gainesville since Urban Meyer exited Alachua County back in December 2010.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Having held the reigning AFC Player of the Month in Walker to his lowest rushing total in 2026, the Dolphins can take pride that their run defense appears to be headed in the right direction.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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