LIFT Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lift' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lift are boost , elevate , heave , hoist , raise , and rear . While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight. // lift the chair while I vacuum

Q: When is 'boost' a more appropriate choice than 'lift'?

The words boost and lift can be used in similar contexts, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push. // boosted his brother over the fence

Q: How does the word 'elevate' relate to other synonyms for 'lift'?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied. // elevated the taste of the public

Q: When would 'heave' be a good substitute for 'lift'?

Although the words heave and lift have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. // heaved the heavy crate inside

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hoist' instead of 'lift'?

The meanings of hoist and lift largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. // hoisted the cargo on board

Q: In what contexts can 'raise' take the place of 'lift'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lift , raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position. // scouts raising a flagpole

Q: How are the words 'rear' and 'raise' related as synonyms of 'lift'?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise . // suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

lift 1 of 2

verb

ˈlift

Definition of lift

as in to raise

to move from a lower to a higher place or position I needed help lifting the heavy globe back up to the top shelf

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rise

to move or extend upward once the sun started to cut through the morning fog, the colorful hot-air balloons began to lift off from the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep she turned her back for just a moment, and somebody lifted her purse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lift

2 of 2

noun

as in assist

an act or instance of helping the company's senior vice president gave his son a much-needed lift up the corporate ladder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ride

a means of getting to a destination in a vehicle driven by another I'll need a lift to work while my car is in the shop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lift contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lift are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When is boost a more appropriate choice than lift?

The words boost and lift can be used in similar contexts, but 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 lift?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When would heave be a good substitute for lift?

Although the words heave and lift have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When is it sensible to use hoist instead of lift?

The meanings of hoist and lift largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

In what contexts can raise take the place of lift?

While in some cases nearly identical to lift, 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 lift?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

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 lift

Verb

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a ground delay advisory at the airport as flight operations improved Monday morning for travelers. — Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 An evacuation order has been lifted in a Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood after a contractor installing fiber optic cables ruptured an underground gas line. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

The property includes a roughly 20,000-square-foot house, pool, dock, boat lift and a tunnel connecting the residence to the ocean. — Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026 The shutdown marked the first time in years that organized, lift-access skiing has not been available anywhere in the Alps during the entire summer season. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

The volume of the excellent eclectic soundtrack raises the energy level even higher.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
The suit says La Strada twice raised concerns with Hoskins, but his Capitol security badge then was deactivated before a hearing in the case and he was fired effective May 1.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Profits returned to growth this year, rising 3% to just over $1 trillion, after a 5% decline in 2025.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
The proportion of people older than 65 is rising rapidly, while the working-age population that supports them shrinks.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

But while Mahomes looked crisp, Kansas City’s $43 million offseason prize stole the entire spotlight.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The theft-prone models lack a critical safeguard called an engine immobilizer pioneered in the mid-1980s, when more than 60,000 cars a year were stolen in Los Angeles alone.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

The Canadian forward has been one of the biggest reasons for the Royals’ surprising success this season, producing 10 assists — tied for the best mark in league history with six matches remaining.

— Karan Lodha, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Cavan Sullivan — who is 16 years old — has now posted 6 goals and 11 assists with the Union in MLS play this season.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of assist

Verb

Tariffs may still be elevating some costs, such as appliances, which jumped in price last month.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
And lawmakers from states newer to the early-primary lineup are already preparing to elevate what matters to their constituents, as they get wooed by presidential aspirants.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

For those who favor outdoor adventure, climb up the famed hiking trail to get to the medieval fortress at the very top of the town.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
The company has paired AI with wall-climbing robots to detect corrosion, predict equipment failures, and reduce shutdown times, Semafor reported.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

State investigators say thieves have been using sophisticated skimming devices all across Philadelphia to steal EBT card information once it's been swiped.

— Liz Crawford, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Some ads featured photos of real kids, including a press photo of a young member of a European royal family and images swiped from a popular Instagram profile of a preteen girl deemed an influencer.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of swipe

Browse Nearby Words

lifeworks

lift

lifted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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