1
as in heaves
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifts
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
hoisted the flag on the flagpole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sips
to swallow in liquid form
I have time to hoist a couple beers before heading home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 hoists
Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Flagg hoists jumpers with his right hand but often appears most comfortable driving and finishing around the rim with his left.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Fort Worth Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James hoists the district title.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
While Minnesota’s regular season opener is slated for Wednesday in Portland, the NBA kicks off Tuesday when Oklahoma City hoists a banner ahead of its bout with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Tramell Tillman hoists his trophy up high at the Apple TV+ party.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Matthew hoists the Cup on the cover of the standard edition of NHL 26 — the first player to do so since Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks on NHL 16.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
After the rescuer hooks the hikers to the line, the helicopter crew hoists all three from the area.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
Dallas Lincoln head coach Ashley Greer hoists the state championship trophy after his team defeated Fredericksburg, 77-49.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
Flagg hoists jumpers with his right hand but often appears most comfortable driving and finishing around the rim with his left.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Fort Worth Arlington Heights head coach Curtis James hoists the district title.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025
While Minnesota’s regular season opener is slated for Wednesday in Portland, the NBA kicks off Tuesday when Oklahoma City hoists a banner ahead of its bout with Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
Tramell Tillman hoists his trophy up high at the Apple TV+ party.
—Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Matthew hoists the Cup on the cover of the standard edition of NHL 26 — the first player to do so since Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks on NHL 16.
—Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
After the rescuer hooks the hikers to the line, the helicopter crew hoists all three from the area.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoists
Verb
-
When a degraded grassland returns to health, the ground heaves up, as if inhaling with relief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
If the plane heaves up, the spoilers can press it back down.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the sweet video, Steinfeld lifts her black sweatshirt to reveal her baby bump, which her husband then kisses and cradles; the two frolic in the snow looking so in love.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
-
About halfway through the video, Simpson wins the fight, lifts up his opponent and collects his money.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Group support Wrapped in a fleece jacket, Sarah sips white wine from a stemmed glass.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Nasser adds a spoonful to her chia cherry water recipe and sips the fiber-rich drink slowly during the evenings.—
Devinder Bains,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That technicality has meant an ever-widening pay gap between ISP and agencies that give raises on officers’ entire salaries.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Berger and Republican House Speaker Destin Hall are at odds over future tax cuts and spending on raises.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The event will feature sing-alongs, live DJs, photo opportunities and themed food and drinks deals.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
With knee-high boots on a date Shopping sprees, drinks with the girls, a fancy dinner date—no matter what your plans are with friends or your significant other, your jean shorts will take you wherever the day leads.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The northern Klamath Basin, the northern and eastern parts of Klamath county, and the far western parts of Lake county could see up to 6 inches of snow and 45 mph wind gusts—especially over the higher elevations—until mid-Thursday morning.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As a warm winter with poor skiing conditions gave way to early springtime record heat, snow is vanishing from all but the highest elevations in the West.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What's more, while virtually all VTOLs being developed these days are electric, the Janus-1 is powered by a turboshaft engine that gulps n' burns diesel, kerosene or Jet A fuel.—
Ben Coxworth
October 21,
New Atlas,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His sister administered back thrusts and, eventually, an abdominal thrust formerly called the Heimlich maneuver.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
19 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hoists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoists. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
