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
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
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
-
Cover Exposed Roots Sometimes heavy ice and snow heaves newer plants out of the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After the fog lifts this morning, skies across the area will stay cloudy to mostly cloudy.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The House bill, and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 594, which passed on Wednesday, lifts that restriction.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Lindsay Lohan sips on a tasty treat to kick off the 3rd Annual Betch of the Year with Dunkin'.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The union said those deals also included pay raises of more than 12% over three years, staffing increases, artificial intelligence protections, no cuts or cost increases on health benefits, more safeguards against workplace violence, and other gains.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The three-year deal calls for PSA Airlines flight attendants to receive an immediate 10% pay bump, pay for boarding, scheduling improvements, additional pay scale raises, and more.—
Jordan Parker
Aviation,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The 5-foot-4 Escobar, who wrestles at 122 pounds, had organized his wrestling clothing, food and drinks the night before.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Both drinks help with fluid intake, but coconut water is the better choice after a workout or a hot day.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lower altitudes are expected to see less snow, but higher elevations could actually see higher snowfalls as temperatures there remain below freezing but warm enough for there to be more moisture for storms.—
Tom Metcalfe,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The park explained that up to four feet of snow could hit the valley, even at low elevations that don’t typically see snow.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
18 Feb. 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 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
