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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

And then the spontaneous cheers and shouts erupted as the aircraft, full of returning troops, lifted off the South Vietnam air strip. — Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026 Adapting to the shock of higher prices meant that Crippen, who was hauling merchandise for online retailer Amazon, pushes the limits on the federal rules regarding driving time to increase time behind the wheel and lift earnings. — Kris B. Mamula, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Noun

There is room for an elevator and the oversized garage has room for a car lift. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026 Stoke Space is well along in construction of its first launch pad at Cape Canaveral for its reusable medium-lift Nova rocket. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

Andy’s view The prospect of steep losses for Republicans in today’s midterms and the lame-duck presidency that ensues regardless raise a fundamental question about the outlook for a budding US-China détente.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
In one video, Basabe appears to raise his voice at a man before turning around and shouting at a woman.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

As the second most expensive housing market in Southern California, USC expects Ventura County's average rent to rise even more, from $2,675 to $2,849 by 2029.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Democrats captured seven Senate seats nationally, a number that could rise to nine with two races yet to be called.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Police also received one unconfirmed report that a Honda SUV was stolen using an OBD-2 port scanner, which involves plugging a device in under the dashboard and duplicating the key fob.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
In all sorts of ways, from the character of Baum’s music to the show-stealing sassy sidekicks, Wanted is channeling the Mouse House during its second golden age of animation, the era of Simba, Aladdin, and the muses of Hercules.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Byram has one assist in six games this season, averaging 24 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time and while leading the top power-play unit.

— Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Trent Perry finished with 11 points and 11 assists for his first double-double.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of assist

Noun

Waymo operates commercially in 15 US cities, but has faced opposition from labor unions, ride-hailing giants such as Uber and Lyft, and various AI-skeptical groups and pedestrian safety advocates.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
People at the scene told Smith the cyclists were part of a group that regularly gathers for weekend bike rides.

— News Editor, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of ride

Verb

Police say subway surfers do it before and after school hours, mostly where tracks are elevated.

— Dave Carlin, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Last month during Big Ten basketball media days, Petitti argued that elevating the meaning of such games was the point of expansion — beyond the unspoken benefit of additional money.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

Saturday highs will climb into the 60s with northerly winds of 10 mph that could grow stronger.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
On the west side of the island Rarotonga, a narrow road climbs from the lagoon into Maungaroa Valley, where a canopy of multi-trunked mato trees covers the remains of a centuries-old settlement.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Harrison said the series was created in response to a dating culture increasingly shaped by swiping, hookups and fleeting relationships.

— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Order garlic naan to swipe through the gravy and double ka tukda, a Hyderabadi bread pudding, to finish.

— Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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