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

Apply toothpaste directly to the mark in question using your finger, then use your damp cloth to work the stain out of the wall, drying things off when it’s completely lifted out. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026 Isar’s rocket can lift heavier payloads than Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle, the market’s workhorse for dedicated launches of small satellites. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2026

Noun

Sunlight streams in brighter, energizing the home, and your whole exterior gets a fresh lift. — Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026 The key feature that really stood out to me was how each pair had the smooth elegance of ballet flats, but with a slight lift that’s comfier than flats or sky-high heels. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

My hope is that with so much talk about affordability and economic growth, a voter or two would raise a hand and ask about price controls and credit-card caps.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The injury was raised again during a frantic final 24 hours of the transfer window when Crystal Palace emerged as rival suitors for Fofana.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

In recent weeks, new cases and deaths have declined in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter, but risen sharply in neighboring North Kivu and Haut-Uele, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said at a weekly briefing.

— JEAN-YVES KAMALE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Since late July, diesel prices have been rising higher and faster overall than the cost of regular unleaded gas.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Last year, when Ohio State hosted Texas, the two QBs were the headliners, but their performances didn’t live up to the hype, as each team’s defense stole the show.

— Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
But Native Americans experienced slavery as stealing of relatives, as a community loss, and it was always intermingled with the stealing of their land and disregard for their sovereignty.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Ovechkin played in all 82 games last season, posting 32 goals and 32 assists — modest by his standards, but remarkable at his age.

— Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Reese contributed nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Bueckers added seven points and three assists.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of assist

Verb

Andrew Perloff and Paul Pabst assess the threat level for the teams in the AFC East, discussing how much Geno Smith elevates the Jets and how the Patriots' schedule affects their ceiling.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
Trump on Wednesday said energy prices that have been elevated due to the Iran war will not come down until after the midterm elections, which are due in November.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

Industry statistics show that residential electricity prices in California run 89% above the national average and have climbed nearly 9% compared to the same period last year, while fuel prices across the state continue to set new highs.

— , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Oil prices have climbed back above the $100 per barrel mark this week as fighting in the Straight of Hormuz and Red Sea has intensified.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Gaga then swipes concealer under her eyes, on the center of her forehead and around her mouth.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Acuña stole the 225th base of his career and 20th of the season, swiping second after his leadoff single in the sixth against Riley Cornelio (2-2), who struck out the next two batters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of swipe

Browse Nearby Words

lifeworks

lift

lifted

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“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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