HOIST Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hoist 1 of 2

verb

ˈhȯist

Definition of hoist

as in to heave

to lift with effort dockworkers hoisted all 164 barrels of molasses out of the ship's hold when it arrived in port

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position hoisted the flag on the flagpole

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to sip

to swallow in liquid form I have time to hoist a couple beers before heading home

Synonyms & Similar Words

hoist

2 of 2

noun

as in raising

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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 remarkable moment was captured on video shared by the fire department, which shows one of the bears hoisting itself to the top of the large tank before jumping into some bushes. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 In McDuffie’s first two seasons, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, then came up short of being the first team in NFL history to hoist a Lombardi Trophy in three consecutive years. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Under extreme conditions the aircrew successfully completed a hoist and safely transported the hiker to emergency medical services. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Scott designed and built the specialized hoist system used to lift turtles over the pier railing. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hoist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoist

Verb

On the final play of the game, Underwood found space and gave his receivers time to get downfield before heaving a bomb that ended up sailing just out the back of the end zone.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Underwood heaved another throw, and Buchanan leaped to snag it and came down with it in the end zone.

— Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of heave

Noun

Muon says Starlight can support orbit raising, station keeping, and controlled deorbiting on small and medium-sized satellites.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
The plan was originally for the museum to open in 2010, but a series of events, including financial crises, political uprisings, the COVID-19 pandemic and regional wars, delayed the curtain raising.

— CBS News, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

My hope is that with so much talk about affordability and economic growth, a voter or two would raise a hand and ask about price controls and credit-card caps.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The injury was raised again during a frantic final 24 hours of the transfer window when Crystal Palace emerged as rival suitors for Fofana.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

The customer gulps it down in a single stretch and drops it into a bin – visible proof of his relief, at least for this moment, from the sweltering heat.

— Light Oriye Tamunotonye, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026
Rather than trying to gulp the slimy thing down, Wilkinson went into the kitchen and prepared an extravagant breakfast for himself, complete with Dr Pepper to wash it down.

— Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 12 June 2026

Definition of gulp

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hoi polloi

hoist

hoisted

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

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Synonyms of hoist

verb

noun

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