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

Heel raises Stand with your feet flat on the floor, then raise up onto your toes, lifting your heels off the ground. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 Her primary campaign was lifted by a strong ground game, with a message focused on expanding transit options in the county as well as increasing the housing stock. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 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

Wisconsin Democrat David Crowley defeated a Republican with close ties to Trump on Tuesday, rising from a childhood in one of the nation's poorest neighborhoods to become the first Black person to lead the battleground state.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
The Democrat went on to represent the area in Congress, rising to become Democratic caucus chair from 2013 to 2017.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Prosecutors said Sherman, from September 2015 through May 2025, stole nearly $18 million from her employer to pay off her extravagant credit card expenses.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The denial comes as blockchain analytics firms trace billions of dollars in cryptocurrency stolen from Binance through thousands of wallets across multiple blockchains.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Doncic, of course, was at the center of it all, scoring 40 points to go with nine rebounds, seven assists and six turnovers.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Four Horned Frogs finished in double figures including Jadyn Wooten (10 points, eight assists) and Camille Williams (12 points).

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of assist

Noun

The segment opened with Grace Reiter and Jeremy Culhane as a young couple taking a ride at a low-end amusement park Halloween celebration.

— William Earl, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
The cold open was framed as a ride through a budget Halloween haunted attraction, with Grace Reiter and Jeremy Culhane as a couple on a date and Kenan Thompson as a Grim Reaper guide.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of ride

Verb

The victory denies Abbott a fourth term and elevates an Austin state representative who built her campaign around public education, household costs and criticism of the state's Republican leadership.

— Blaise Gainey, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The election also elevates a number of state and gubernatorial candidates who made stricter regulation of data centers a key part of their campaigns.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

More than $405 million will be spent on advertising in the final week of the midterm elections for the top 15 races in the House and Senate, an eye-popping figure that will only continue to climb ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2026
Passengers should politely ask their seatmate to move rather than attempting to climb over them, which can cause injuries.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

The touch screen sensor is built directly into the display panel rather than layered on top, which Apple says helps reduce delays when swiping and scrolling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Users will be able to swipe, pinch, and double-tap to interact with apps, web pages, and other content.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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