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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

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
The official added that allies are increasing investments in warships, aircraft, drones, long-range missiles, as well as space and cyber capabilities, while boosting readiness and modernizing command and control. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 This formula pairs potent L-ascorbic acid with more stable, gentler derivatives—3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate—which extend antioxidant benefits, boost tolerability, and improve overall stability. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 May 2026
Noun
Albemarle is seeing a boost from energy storage systems made by AI companies to strengthen grid reliability for data centers. Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026 Embiid will be back and give them a boost, and the Knicks will be down one of their best defenders, and someone who has been a reliable scorer this postseason. David Troy, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
Verb
  • With a burgeoning fanbase that stretched far beyond the South, the Braves turned into a World Series mainstay during the 1990s, and Turner finally hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy in 1995 before selling the franchise the next year.
    R.J. Rico, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Government payments hoisted these operations roughly up to the break-even line, data from the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota shows.
    Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • But ultimately, Ayton needs to increase his scoring at the rim, Redick said.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • His most fulfilling moment was when the fourth calf was born in the wild last year, an indication that the bongos are thriving in their native habitat and that their population will certainly increase.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The new thermal insulation material improves upon aerogel by enhancing its mechanical properties while maintaining moisture permeability and quick-drying performance.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
  • Saudi Aramco’s new supercomputer, meant to accelerate the search for new oil and gas deposits and enhance output from existing fields, costs $373 million.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Spurs’ back-to-back wins have lifted them out of the relegation zone and their remaining fixtures are hugely important.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • And dirt is moving on the site of a future 148,000-square-foot Target, where developers and city and county officials lifted their shovels Tuesday.
    Rose Evans Updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, Hamilton shared posts on X promoting misinformation about FEMA spending during Hurricane Helene.
    Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
  • The chef Sunny Lee promotes them to a lead role, conjuring a daily set of six (with extras available) out of a breathlessly narrow kitchen.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • The Golden Knights regained the lead in the best-of-seven second-round series, 2-1, after stealing Game 1 in Vegas and very nearly being shut out in Game 2.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
  • The Sixers had momentum — a chance to steal (yes, steal) a game against a far (yes, far) superior Knicks team and salvage what was left of their playoff hopes after ceding the first two games of the second-round series at Madison Square Garden.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The only other two candidates to get double-digit support were Bianco and Becerra.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • Public First has spent four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in support of Bores.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Russia’s bigger and better-equipped military has been making slow but steady gains along the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
  • Russia's bigger and better-equipped military has been making slow but steady gains along the more than 1,000-kilometer (over 600-mile) front line.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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