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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
Ibrahim chose West Town, an area that today boasts about two dozen galleries. Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 Its ocean boasts rich fishing grounds and critical seabed minerals. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Noun
The Trumpian superlative tic took his boasts well beyond the general. Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The International Federation of American Football counts football-playing members in 79 countries, but the global governing bodies of basketball and soccer boast federations in more than 200 countries. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • The world’s richest men brag about getting their information from X posts, podcasts, and conversations with chatbots.
    Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Investigators determined that earlier in the evening, Diaz and the victims were attending a party at or near the park and that Diaz had been bragging about having a new gun, firing it once into the air.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • But the strength of the rotation also depends on the conflict in the Middle East remaining contained.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The book contains Ahn’s mother’s recipes and conversations between the mother and daughter.
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Here's what to know about one of Europe's most significant historical treasures.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 July 2026
  • In return, the British Museum will loan treasures from the Sutton Hoo hoard — artifacts from a 7th century Anglo Saxon ship burial — and other items to museums in Normandy.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • With each passing day that the jewels remain missing, fears grow that these pieces of French national heritage have been dismantled, their famed emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds cut apart and sold on the black market.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
  • Considered the jewel of the offseason Ryan Weathers trade with the Yankees, Lewis is second in the Southern League with 17 homers.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • The highlight, aside from Lendeborg getting to ask Johnson a lighthearted question in Johnson’s own postgame media scrum deep inside the arena’s lower level?
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • Another highlight was a top made from gray cotton socks created after the Fall/Winter 1991-92 collection, which went for €117,000.
    Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • In 2014, Pope Francis abolished the future use of the monsignor title — which denotes a specific honor — for most priests.
    Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • He was inducted in 1998 as a Disney Legend and has won a Tony, a Grammy, a People’s Choice Award and a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement honor (now the Actor Awards).
    Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Golden Boot History The top scorer in the World Cup has been recognized since 1930, but the award got an official name and trophy, the Golden Shoe, in 1982.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • France’s departing coach, Didier Deschamps, is already a World Cup great, having won the title as France’s captain in 1998 and led the team to the trophy 20 years later.
    Steve Douglas, AJC.com, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • The history of Kaskaskia is full of stories of resilience and stubborn pride, but also of the inevitability of nature.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Schlanger’s pride in his Jewishness forced Goldstein to reflect on her upbringing.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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