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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 globe-spanning group with 130 production companies across 25 countries boasts a content catalog that includes The Traitors, Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders and Midsomer Murders. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 Douglas County, Carrollton, Westlake and East Coweta all boast talented rosters and impressive wins this season. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 9 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
  • Smigel and Wendt bragged about how great Chicago is compared to Kansas City and compared crime rates.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The director had rather surprisingly bragged that the film features around 50 jump scares, which works out to around one every two minutes.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Another 19 shipments, containing about 119,000 gallons, were stopped at the Port of Houston.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Sound tends to be hit or miss for outdoor shows as there’s nothing to contain the noise.
    — Rashad Alexander October 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Considered the most expensive work in the world at the time of its creation, the book was valued at 2 million francs (about $408,000 in 1961 dollars); today it is considered a French heritage treasure, its value estimated at several million euros.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The treasures of both the sea and the surrounding mountains are at your fingertips thanks to an array of land and water activities ranging from hikes and beach picnics to fishing experiences and sunset cruises.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 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
  • The highlight is a 25-foot waterfall that flows over a sandstone ledge into a pool.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One highlight includes an oak sideboard from Walker Edison that’s sure to impress any visiting in-laws.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 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
  • The 2,444-acre reservoir is home to trophy-sized cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout, as well as northern pike.
    — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In the role, the Duke of Kent was on hand to present the winners' trophies to the champions.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Kalhammer’s Bowery Nation, which could have given its name to the exhibition, conveys the show’s intensely personal civic pride—its Campanilismo.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The new foursome watched with pride two months later as the Artemis II astronauts flew around the moon.
    — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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