BOOST Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

boost 1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst

Definition of boost next

as in to hoist

to lift with effort boosted the child into her car seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number a promotion that boosted the number of interested customers milling about the showroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree recommended eating foods that boost the body's immunity to disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position boosted the box onto the top shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to promote

to provide publicity for boosted the singer's latest release with a round of appearances on all the talk and entertainment shows

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to steal

slang to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the woman was nabbed trying to boost a couple of bottles of perfume

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boost

2 of 2

noun

as in support

an act or instance of helping she always liked to give struggling families in the neighborhood a boost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in increase

something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity according to the President, a tax cut is just the boost that the economy needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

This increases alertness, boosts available energy and temporarily downshifts nonessential functions like digestion. —

Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 May 2026 For decades, the industry boosted performance by making transistors smaller and packing more of them onto a chip. —

Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026

Noun

The combination of physical activity and being in the great outdoors gives the body a boost of vitality. —

Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 May 2026 But the 430 Scuderia saw the arrival of the electronic limited-slip differential out back, which helped actively push power where needed to give the car an impressive boost in agility. —

Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost

Verb

On Tuesday, visitors pressed against the fence of the buffalo's enclosure, filming with their phones as some fathers hoisted small children on their shoulders for a better view.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
On Tuesday, visitors pressed against the fence of the buffalo’s enclosure, recording with their phones as some fathers hoisted small children onto their shoulders for a better view.

— al Emrun Garjon, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Definition of hoist

Browse Nearby Words

boos

boost

boosted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of boost

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on boost

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

valedictory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

On ‘Suffice It to Say’

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - Jun 5

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Strange Words for Body Functions

Games & Quizzes