Synonyms of boost

boost 1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst 

1

as in to hoist

to lift with effort

boosted the child into her car seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hoist
• heave
• raise
• heft
• jack (up)
• uplift
• elevate
• upheave
• hike
• up
• rear
• pick up
• upraise
• uprear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• lower
• depress
• sink
• submerge
• submerse

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

• increase
• accelerate
• expand
• augment
• raise
• enhance
• extend
• multiply
• maximize
• amplify
• reinforce
• intensify
• strengthen
• add (to)
• swell
• stoke
• enlarge
• escalate
• aggrandize
• build up
• compound
• pump up
• up
• supplement
• supersize
• hype
• heighten
• jump
• skyrocket
• spike
• develop
• lengthen
• prolong
• inflate
• complement
• boom
• stretch
• draw out
• bump (up)
• blow up
• elongate
• flesh (out)
• dilate
• ratchet (up)
• distend
• magnify
• protract
• accumulate
• beef (up)
• collect
• amass
• rachet (up)
• parlay
• follow up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• lower
• subtract (from)
• dwindle
• downsize
• abate
• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• abbreviate
• minify
• compress
• contract
• de-escalate
• constrict
• condense
• cut back
• retrench

3

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

• enhance
• intensify
• heighten
• deepen
• strengthen
• consolidate
• reinforce
• amplify
• broaden
• accentuate
• step up
• expand
• redouble
• sharpen
• beef (up)
• augment
• magnify
• maximize
• accelerate
• emphasize
• extend
• lengthen
• supplement
• enforce
• amp (up)
• point (up)
• enlarge
• hasten
• quicken
• stress
• enliven
• exacerbate
• restrengthen
• aggravate
• jazz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• moderate
• diminish
• tone (down)
• lessen
• weaken
• abate
• subdue
• alleviate
• recede
• subside
• ease
• lighten
• let up (on)
• dwindle
• wane
• taper (off)

4

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

• lift
• raise
• elevate
• uplift
• heighten
• hoist
• take up
• uphold
• hike
• heave
• heft
• up
• perk (up)
• rise
• crane
• jack (up)
• pick up
• ascend
• upraise
• mount
• rear
• upend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lower
• drop
• fall
• push
• slip
• dip
• descend
• plunge
• bear
• press
• depress
• pitch
• sink
• submerge

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promote
• sell
• publicize
• announce
• advertise
• push
• tout
• plug
• hype
• pitch
• beat the drum (for)
• merchandise
• talk up
• praise
• ballyhoo
• hail
• publish
• bark
• acclaim
• review
• endorse
• recommend
• broadcast
• laud
• plump (for)
• plunk (for)
• plonk (for)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steal
• lift
• swipe
• grab
• pinch
• appropriate
• rob
• snatch
• pilfer
• rip off
• filch
• hook
• misappropriate
• pocket
• nip
• snitch
• nick
• purloin
• run off with
• thieve
• take
• hijack
• make off with
• walk off with
• make away with
• pick
• seize
• sack
• loot
• knock over
• plunder
• heist
• pillage
• burglarize
• rifle
• poach
• spirit
• kidnap
• grasp
• shoplift
• abduct
• rustle
• nail
• sponge
• collar
• carjack
• shanghai
• mooch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• contribute
• present
• bestow
• donate
• hand over

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• support
• help
• assist
• assistance
• lift
• aid
• encouragement
• hand
• advice
• backing
• helping hand
• guidance
• service
• promotion
• leg up
• advancement
• abetment
• facilitation
• kindness
• attention
• sponsorship
• patronage
• furtherance
• attendance
• forwarding
• mentoring
• relief
• furthering
• care
• nurturance
• counsel
• benefaction
• favor
• beneficence
• succor
• charity
• philanthropy
• hand-holding
• assuagement
• palliation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• inhibition
• restraint
• obstruction
• hindrance
• constraint
• frustration
• repression
• deterrence
• discouragement

2

as in increase

something added (as by growth)

a sudden boost in sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• gain
• addition
• raise
• rise
• increment
• augmentation
• expansion
• supplement
• plus
• step-up
• proliferation
• accrual
• uptick
• accretion
• accumulation
• more
• addendum
• continuation
• complement
• spike
• jump
• extension
• collection
• gathering
• upturn
• appendix
• accession
• assemblage
• uptrend
• run-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• reduction
• loss
• lowering
• decline
• depletion
• fall
• shrinkage
• diminution
• lessening
• decrement
• abatement
• falloff
• deduction
• diminishment
• drop-off
• step-down
• subtraction

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incentive
• impetus
• encouragement
• motivation
• stimulus
• momentum
• spur
• stimulant
• catalyst
• fuel
• impulse
• reason
• goad
• yeast
• cause
• provocation
• instigation
• shot in the arm
• inducement
• consideration
• incitation
• incitement
• spark
• invitation
• motive
• grounds
• occasion
• antecedent
• catalyzer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disincentive
• counterincentive

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

Recent Examples of boost

Verb

But the Italian kept gaining ground and, perhaps boosted by the loud support from her countrymen in the seats, surged on the final lap, arms swinging behind her. —Howard Fendrich, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026

In addition, the Porter Town Council also expects to soon approve boosting fines for nuisance and stormwater violations. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026

Noun

The city was ultimately able to balance its 2026 budget by shifting resources, borrowing money and earning a surprise boost of funds from the Village of Butler for its contract authorizing Brookfield to provide its neighbor fire and EMS services. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Black olives add a fine umami boost to the velvety beans. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026