Synonyms of hoist

hoist 1 of 2

verb

ˈhȯist 

1

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position

hoisted the flag on the flagpole

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to sip

to swallow in liquid form

I have time to hoist a couple beers before heading home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sip
• drink
• gulp
• sup
• lick
• slurp
• swig
• quaff
• guzzle
• pound (down)
• imbibe
• knock back
• suck
• swill
• toss (down or off)
• belt (down)
• slug (down)
• consume
• mouth (down)
• toast
• lap
• wine
• tipple
• kill
• put away
• down
• ingurgitate
• pledge
• nip

hoist

2 of 2

noun

as in raising

Related Words

• raising
• raise
• takeoff
• levitation
• liftoff
• elevation
• thrust
• increase
• heave
• hike
• boost
• climb
• blastoff
• upturn
• uplifting
• soar
• upswing
• upthrust
• upsurge
• upheaval
• ascension
• upwelling
• uptrend
• rising
• upraising
• ascent
• rise
• upsweep

Dissimilar Words

• drop
• fall
• dip
• dive
• plunge
• descent
• sinking
• decrease
• decline
• down
• nosedive
• plop
• plummeting
• downgrade
• downfall
• comedown

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

Recent Examples of hoist

Verb

The event topped out, by my count, at 18 pro-billionaire attendees, who hoisted signs with slogans such as Tip Your Landlord and Property Rights Are Human Rights. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto squealed with delight when presented with a Tina plushie, while freestyle skier Eileen Gu hoisted the mascot into the air after earning a silver medal. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026

Noun

The Tennessee Army National Guard ended up sending a Black Hawk and dropping a long hoist cable. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026

The team then called for assistance from the Colorado National Guard (CNG), which sent a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with a hoist to the scene. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026