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

Synonyms & Similar 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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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 men hoisted the noose from a tower on top of a building on Northern Blvd. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025

Footage released by the Coast Guard shows a rescue diver in the ocean and loading the people one-by-one into a basket, which was hoisted up to the helicopter. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025

Noun

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

As the hoist is removed, the last sections of the exterior glass facade will be installed to enclose the building on Woodward Avenue downtown. —Annalise Frank, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024