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

While most of the NBA world assumed the Thunder would close out the NBA Finals in Game 6 and hoist the first NBA title on Thursday night, no one would have been shocked if the Indiana Pacers pulled off another gritty, late-game shocker to extend the series to Game 7. —Joe Vardon, New York Times, 20 June 2025

The Montreal Canadiens were the last such franchise to hoist the trophy named after Lord Stanley of Preston. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

Noun

The miners were stuck underground after the hoist system used to access a shaft at the Kloof gold mine - one of Sibanye's deepest, situated about 37 miles west of Johannesburg - was damaged in an accident on Thursday. —Reuters, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025

Laguna Beach Fire Department paramedics treated the man on site, and a hoist rescue was accomplished via the Orange County Fire Authority’s Firehawk helicopter. —Staff Report, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2025