boost 1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst How to pronounce boost (audio)
Definition of boostnext
1
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
2
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
3
as in to enhance
to make markedly greater in measure or degree recommended eating foods that boost the body's immunity to disease

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position boosted the box onto the top shelf

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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

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6
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boost

2 of 2

noun

1
as in support
an act or instance of helping she always liked to give struggling families in the neighborhood a boost

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity according to the President, a tax cut is just the boost that the economy needs

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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
The power of combination Wu pointed out that acetaminophen appears to boost the pain-relief properties of other medications. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025 So far, there's little evidence to show work requirements boost employment among the low-income Americans who rely on the programs. —Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 17 June 2025
Noun
Adding three-time Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker afforded an obvious boost following Bregman’s departure. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Some of Netflix’s boost came from its two Christmas Day NFL games last year, which was the biggest streaming day in history, according to Nielsen. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
  1. hoist
  2. increase
  3. enhance
  4. lift
  5. promote
  6. steal
  7. support
  8. gain
Verb
  • Other banners have been hoisted in recent weeks and stickers criticizing Bezos can be found all over town.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 June 2025
  • Several dozen people gathered for the ceremony Saturday as the sign was hoisted and attached, including officials from Chicago Ridge and Richards High School, as well as representatives from The Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, the Bridgeview School and the Nahda Center in Worth.
    — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • The gap between the top 75th percentile and the bottom 25th percentile performers increased by 1.5 times in Q1 2025 compared to a year earlier, with market leaders continuing to charge ahead while the bottom 20% to 30% of the sector continued to report a reduction in growth.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 June 2025
  • In the long term, budget experts warn that an aging population and rising health care costs mean entitlement spending will gobble an increasing percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).
    — Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 19 June 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Thoughtful packaging enhances brand perception, encourages repeat purchases and boosts word-of-mouth.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Some things in life are mood enhancing and for me one of those things are narrowing down the products that will make it in my suitcase for my summer excursions.
    — Samantha Mims, Essence, 23 June 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Filler can’t lift sagging skin or reposition deeper tissue; a facelift is a literal lifting, cutting, and repositioning.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 16 June 2025
  • Hundreds of people showed up to the opening, which was the day after Portland lifted its indoor mask mandate, and in the middle of the N.C.A.A. tournament.
    — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Musk Therapy blends bergamot, mandarin, magnolia, sandalwood, and musks to promote wellbeing, while the Atomic Rose adds intensity with Bulgarian and Turkish rose, jasmine, and sweet vanilla.
    — Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • This intergovernmental coalition brings together 43 countries, working collectively to promote and defend freedom of religion or belief worldwide.
    — Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • The group later stole Samsung electronics valued at $14,081, authorities alleged.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 June 2025
  • The Twins spent all day playing from behind after starter Simeon Woods Richardson gave up hits to two of the first three batters and Jeffers airmailed a throw into the outfield trying to nab Christian Yelich stealing second.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • And this was also the fantasy in the 1980s, when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran with military and economic support from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Israel, who believed the newly revolutionary Iran would collapse in months.
    — Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
  • Despite the proposal receiving some bipartisan support Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee stopped short of recommending the project be audited.
    — Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • The windfalls from name, image and licensing rights carry a slew of gains for athletes, including bolstering traditional labor objectives like collective bargaining.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • In terms of the absolute number of viewers that were added between a sixth and seventh broadcast, the 2016 Cavaliers-Warriors classic beat all comers with a net gain of 10.3 million viewers.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 June 2025
Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

boos
boost
boosted
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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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