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

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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

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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

The stay was eventually lifted, but DeSantis didn't sign a new death warrant. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 If all goes to plan, the mission will lift off from Japan in March 2028, kicking off the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA). — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

But that would be a huge political lift, perhaps requiring a constitutional amendment. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The two dancers’ cartwheeling lifts—feet in the air, head toward the ground—are more athletic than erotic, creating pretty lines but lacking in urgency. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

Hackers raised the temperature of refrigerators and freezers, sparking fires and causing food to spoil.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
People find collaborators over drinks, and someone reluctant to raise a hand in an auditorium might ask a question after a little social lubrication.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

The price of Brent crude oil rose to $106 per barrel this morning.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
The milestone arrives at a precarious time for Australia’s festival sector, which has seen a wave of cancellations and closures in recent years amid rising costs and softening ticket sales.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Related Articles The paintings, Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano and Femme au puits (Woman at the Well), were stolen from the Musée Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Portis closed with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 shooting on threes, two rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
In just their seventh game of the season, Brady scored a hat trick on Tuesday night, with each of his goals being assisted by Matthew, who had two other assists on the night.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of assist

Verb

Where a sneaker or flat might’ve kept the outfit in the casual realm, the trendy pump silhouette elevated the ensemble a notch.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
The agency will also hike the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, elevating the taxable income limit from $184,500 to $192,300.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

But as stock prices climb and bond yields increase, that relative advantage is diminishing, leaving less room for equities to absorb higher rates.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
London — Oil prices climbed Thursday on continued worries about global supply following a record number of tanker attacks that sent crossings through the Strait of Hormuz to a two-month low.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Instagram Stories remain at the top of the feed, per screenshots from Oncescu, while swiping the screen pulls up the traditional feed of posts from accounts a user follows.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

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noun

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