BOAST Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

boast 1 of 2

verb

Definition of boast

as in to brag

to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess he boasted about his latest killing in real estate so I thought he should be the one to pay for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to contain

to have within the hotel boasts nearly 50 rooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

boast

2 of 2

noun

ˈbōst

as in treasure

an asset that brings praise or renown the school's boast was a winning football team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

DoorDash similarly boasted recently of cost-savings from using Chinese AI models for some of its work, and last week became the latest company to get a letter from US House committees requesting information about its use of Chinese tech. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Sagittarius boasts the most possible birthstones of any star sign, with five in total. — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

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 The camera locks Henri in its sights, catching his every empty boast and complicit deed as Hitler’s Final Solution looms, and offering nary a shred of redemption or reassurance. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast

Verb

Along with facing off against the likes of Tom Brady and Karl-Anthony Towns, Bieber also challenged Djokovic, 39, to a bonus game of ping pong — and couldn’t help but brag about his skill.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
So, The Hawk is number one on Netflix in the US and the service is bragging about it.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of brag

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

Definition of contain

Noun

New lighting and wall labels, redesigned layouts, and the introduction of new services are all aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, while the Uffizi will protect its treasures through improved conservation and security schemes.

— News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026
Louisiana Located along Baton Rouge's eclectic Government Street corridor, Circa 1857 and The Pink Elephant are must-stops for travelers who love uncovering one-of-a-kind treasures with a story.

— Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of treasure

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

Definition of jewel

Noun

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
The highlight of Tuesday’s practice was a massive downfield catch by Moore from Josh Allen, which ended with Moore reaching the end zone for a 50-plus-yard touchdown.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of highlight

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

Definition of honor

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

Definition of trophy

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“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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