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hoist

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hoist contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hoist are boost, elevate, heave, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use boost instead of hoist?

The words boost and hoist are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 hoist?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When could heave be used to replace hoist?

In some situations, the words heave and hoist are roughly equivalent. However, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When is lift a more appropriate choice than hoist?

The synonyms lift and hoist are sometimes interchangeable, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

Where would raise be a reasonable alternative to hoist?

The meanings of raise and hoist largely overlap; however, 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 hoist?

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 hoist
Verb
The crane on the aft deck, for instance, is capable of hoisting 7.5 tons, significantly more than the other yachts in Sanlorenzo’s EXP series. Katia Damborsky, Robb Report, 12 May 2025 Past experiences include access to the field, post-Super Bowl, to celebrate in the confetti as the winning team hoists the Lombardi trophy. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Using a hoist, the pair were brought up to the ranger, who led them back to safety, deputies said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025 As seen in video footage, a Coast Guard helicopter flight crew was later brought in and deployed a rescue swimmer, who then placed the woman in a hypothermic bag and set up a hoist. David Chiu, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hoist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoist
Verb
  • This season, Brentford have heaved 92 throw-ins directly into the penalty area from the attacking quarter of the pitch.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 May 2025
  • Bridges ripped the ball away and heaved it down the court as time expired, clinching the Knicks’ 108-105 win.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Colorful murals, many by women artists, greeted me at every turn; one by illustrator Brooke Smart, depicting women lifting each other up, reflects the ethos of the district.
    Carley Thornell, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • To further lift morale, staff organised a barbecue at the training ground, which went down well with the players.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The cup of jus on the side is deep in color and flavor, salty but balanced enough to sip.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • During the multi-generational culinary lesson, the young ones sipped homemade lemonade, while us adults drank delicious maracuya mezcalitas.
    Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
  • Now 10 and 8 years old, respectively, Hilty and Gallagher are raising their children in New York City.
    Marissa G. Muller, People.com, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Crumble Smith recommends using half your body weight as a starting point to figure out how many ounces per day to drink.
    Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025
  • The 2018 vintage is exceptional and is drinking perfectly right now.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The Golden Dome is a ground- and space-based missile defense system designed to protect all of the U.S. by detecting, tracking and stopping missiles at multiple stages of flight, potentially destroying them before takeoff or intercepting them in mid-air.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • The plane left Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield at around 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, May 17, and crashed shortly after takeoff, according to a statement from the North Metro Fire Rescue District (NMFRD).
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • The young woman gulps it down, not realizing it is laced with a sedative.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • Some daredevils will let tarpon, which can grow up to 8 feet long, gulp their hands to the wrist for a great video moment, but Robbie’s visitors on a relatively quiet day in March were dangling fish through holes in a net, seemingly reluctant to participate in any unnerving limb gulping.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For much of its history, the Church has had to defend itself against accusations that levitations, apparitions, and other miracles were not the work of God but that of the devil.
    Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Seven months later, playing for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Carter capped his year of levitation by jumping over France’s 7-2 center, Frederic Weis, en route to a violent, yet somehow, also, elegant, slam in a preliminary round game.
    Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hoist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoist. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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