boost 1 of 2

Definition of boostnext
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as in to hoist
to lift with effort boosted the child into her car seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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boost

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb boost contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of boost are elevate, heave, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for boost?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When would heave be a good substitute for boost?

Although the words heave and boost have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might hoist be a better fit than boost?

The meanings of hoist and boost largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When could lift be used to replace boost?

The synonyms lift and boost are sometimes interchangeable, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

In what contexts can raise take the place of boost?

The words raise and boost can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How are the words rear and raise related as synonyms of boost?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

How does the verb boost contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of boost are elevate, heave, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for boost?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When would heave be a good substitute for boost?

Although the words heave and boost have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might hoist be a better fit than boost?

The meanings of hoist and boost largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When could lift be used to replace boost?

The synonyms lift and boost are sometimes interchangeable, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

In what contexts can raise take the place of boost?

The words raise and boost can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How are the words rear and raise related as synonyms of boost?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

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 boost
Verb
Khamenei's government boosted its stockpiles of near-weapons-grade uranium. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026 When his job applications for new positions go nowhere, and his family starts feeling the squeeze to their comfortable middle-class life, Man-su starts killing his fellow candidates to boost his chances of finding work. Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
Mega-events like the World Cup rarely deliver a sustained boost for local hotel markets. Vijay Dandapani, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026 Although this back-line boost will have to wait until the summertime. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
Verb
  • On a recent cold morning, Micah Gold-Markel helped his installation crew hoist new solar panels onto the roof of a two-story, red brick house.
    Jeff Brady, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has urged his caucus to either silently protest the speech or to take part in off-site counterprogramming to avoid a repeat of last year’s sign-hoisting brouhaha.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • So ticket prices could quickly start to increase if the conflict lingers.
    CARA RUBINSKY, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The condition is a leading cause of preventable death, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
    Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The two countries signed the Pax Silica Declaration earlier this month, solidifying a commitment to strengthen the supply chains for critical minerals and enhance collaboration surrounding advancements in areas like artificial intelligence.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Korean hair treatments commonly use botanical extracts like ginseng, camellia oil, rice water, and green tea, along with fermented ingredients that enhance absorption and nourishment.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Needing a spark in their third game in three states in four nights, the Celtics did not get one from their bench, which combined to score just five points before garbage time (plus another 12 after Mazzulla lifted his starters with more than five minutes remaining).
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Vitello then lifted him in favor of right-hander Tristan Beck, who served up a grand slam to Brice Turang.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Iran’s strikes on Gulf cities are a blow to the region’s goal of promoting itself as a financial center that can be a haven of stability.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The style is often associated with socialist utopian ideas, which were regularly promoted by the buildings’ architects.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Last Tuesday, thieves stole more than $80,000 of Pokémon cards from Do-We Collectibles in Anaheim — the second time the store has been targeted.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Two days later, authorities found the van, a 1978 Chevy stolen from Dayton, Ohio, abandoned at a truck stop in Franklin, Tenn.
    Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, city staff are also examining ways to provide regular and emergency assistance to Los Angeles restaurants, as well as provide additional support to legacy restaurants in financial crisis.
    City News Service, Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Similar to when the on-air incident happened in 2023, news of Kuiper’s return was a hot topic Wednesday night on social media, eliciting strong opinions in support and against Kuiper’s return.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Competitors often cite the hills of west Little Rock as the highlight and most challenging part of the marathon due to the gain in elevation and the scenery that comes with it.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Dorsey tied the cuts directly to efficiency gains from the company’s AI rollout, Fortune reported.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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