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

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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
Disney has begun putting some ESPN content on Disney+ and offers bundles combining ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu, aiming to boost overall streaming subscriptions and engagement. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026 While Hathaway has modeled some high heels amid her busy year promoting a slew of movies, this style was modestly boosted by a 50-mm kitten heel. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
Teachers looking for a little midweek boost should look no further than Scooter's Coffee. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 Use the boost to review subscriptions, adjust your shopping list, or ask whether you’re being paid fairly. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
Verb
  • Originally intended for Florence Cathedral’s roof, the statue proved too heavy to hoist and too magnificent to place so high.
    Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Peter Zumthor’s design hoists a serpentine platform atop pavilions that read like stout, truncated legs, making the edifice almost creaturely in its architectural stance.
    George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The incidence of colorectal cancer in particular has increased among younger people in recent years, other studies have found.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Fall travel is increasing even to destinations in Asia, where the window between September and November is already the peak season.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Brady Corbet’s 2024 film The Brutalist was demonized for using AI to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and for using the tech to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth.
    Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having your franchise player, a future Hall of Famer, ask out in such a public way is only going to enhance that view.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Marlins starter Eury Perez (7-11) was lifted after allowing a season-high 7 runs -- 5 earned -- and 10 hits over 4 innings.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Competitors had to lift them onto podiums at different heights in the quickest time possible.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Such stories, along with the incredible resilience of populations harmed by colonialism, need to be told and understood to promote justice and healing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • While promoting his new show Brothers, McConaughey managed to carve out some spon-con time for his tequila, Pantalones.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Last year, when Ohio State hosted Texas, the two QBs were the headliners, but their performances didn’t live up to the hype, as each team’s defense stole the show.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But Native Americans experienced slavery as stealing of relatives, as a community loss, and it was always intermingled with the stealing of their land and disregard for their sovereignty.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The same investments that improve energy security can lower consumer costs, reduce emissions, strengthen industrial capacity and support growth.
    Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Modern submarine programmes involve sophisticated engineering, propulsion, sensors, communications, combat systems and long-term industrial support.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Those gains, of course, allowed the club to partially circumnavigate La Liga’s spending controls so, even as the club lops off chunks of value from the asset each year, the Byzantine structure of it all has certainly served a purpose.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Islamophobia helped spur the rise of populist right-wing parties in Europe, alongside the migration crisis caused by Syria’s civil war and ISIS’s territorial gains in Syria and Iraq.
    Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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