boast 1 of 2

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
Related Articles In response to the mural, the city of Bristol, which boasts an international reputation for street art, including producing the artist Banksy, received strong pushback from its local arts community. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Very few production companies can boast about landing major international festival premieres for every project in their slate. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 Sep. 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
  • Some post screenshots of their trades, bragging about their bets on Sorsby’s misfortune.
    — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Sep. 2026
  • During a hearing over that issue last month, prosecutors revealed jailhouse recordings in which Lavie bragged about exploiting Cloobeck.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The glasses contain the displays and sensing hardware, while the external puck handles much of the computing and power.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Today, the mechanisms that contained the initial energy shock are faltering.
    — RICHARD HAASS, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The treasure is now on public display at the nearby LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Between the waves, locals can be seen taking lungfuls of air before diving under the surface to search for sea cucumbers or perhaps another haul of 9th-century Tang treasure like the one found in 1998.
    — Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Every jewel begins with a dream, an emotion, a vision, an idea waiting to be brought to life.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Hamilton also wore some serious jewels, with a diamond necklace and stud earrings.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Food and drink The food is a definite highlight here, with several places to eat and drink.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Related Articles The highlight of the dress was, without a doubt, the bodice, which featured a sheer, birdcage-style rounded scoop neckline with a bevy of tulle ruffles in layers.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At the University of Turin, Pavese wrote his thesis on Walt Whitman, which was initially rejected because of the evident influence of Croce and then passed, with honors, after Leone Ginzburg savvily intervened and found Pavese a new examiner.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys earlier this year had awarded Zahnd the group’s highest honor for his years of service as a prosecutor.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For this mob, watches are as much assets to flip as trophies to collect.
    — Adam Erace, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • They were also presented by Thierry Frémaux with a copy of their Cannes best director award so that both had a trophy.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The other bill Newsom signed, Assembly Bill 1836, expands the availability of state security grants to offsite celebrations like cultural and religious festivals, marches and LGBTQ pride events.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • While developing her next feature, Coppola has spent this retrospective year taking stock, watching with a familiar pride as her own children pursue creative paths.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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