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

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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

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

Plus, which Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Actress contenders at the Oscars this year could potentially see double nomination now that the Academy has lifted its ban on actors being nominated multiple times in the same category. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 July 2026 Over the past year, a wave of Strategy copycats have stuffed public companies with crypto in a bid to lift their share prices, but that trade has largely lost steam. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Noun

De Hadeln’s career lift-off came in 1972, when he was named chief of the Locarno International Film Festival and said to have heralded in a new era of international recognition for the event. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 The researchers suggest this could be within the reach of current or near-future heavy-lift launch systems. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

Even Realities has largely been funded by Chinese-origin venture firms including CDH Investments, Monolith Management and CVC Capital, and raised an undisclosed sum from Unicorn Capital Partners and Cyanhill Capital in January.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
In a landmark 2023 deal, Regan secured a statewide $25 wage floor for healthcare workers after qualifying initiatives to raise industry wages in Los Angeles and other cities.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

The combination of rising demand, tighter schedules and growing sensitivity to pet welfare is pushing more people toward mobile options.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Gifts from foundations, such as those backed by the Samueli and Sun families, rose by about 3%, despite huge gains in stock markets and other assets that typically boost the financial health of foundations.

— Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Police arrested more than 400 people after a melee in which businesses were smashed and goods stolen, and fireworks were dispatched in crowds.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
However, when her island's resources are threatened, Moana embraces her ancestors' voyaging heritage and heads out to sea to find Maui, deliver the heart of Te Fiti (which Maui stole back in the day) and save her people.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Acuff found a rhythm in the second quarter, demonstrating his three-level scoring ability while showing off his court vision with some beautiful assists.

— Jason Anderson July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists and the Los Angeles Sparks spoiled Caitlin Clark’s return, beating the Indiana Fever 106-92 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of assist

Noun

The property houses four 18-hole mini golf courses, an arcade, go-karts, ropes course, zipline, flat rides and two roller coasters.

— Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
It is no longer listed as an attraction on the park’s website, and Worlds of Fun confirmed the ride has been retired over the phone.

— Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

Definition of ride

Verb

Morocco are already Africa’s history makers, but one more win would elevate them beyond the continental lens they’ve been viewed through up until now.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Here, two interior design experts share their go-to tricks for elevating your bathroom without overspending.

— Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

Expectations of higher inflation amid surging oil prices have pushed up the long-term bond yields that lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, causing mortgage rates to climb.

— Alex Veiga, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Preliminary Flightradar24 data showed the plane first losing altitude before briefly climbing.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

Definition of climb

Verb

Both swiped second and third base, respectively, to set up Merrill’s game-tying groundout.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
After scoring a run in the fourth when Willy Adames grounded into a double play with a runner on third, San Francisco called upon a double steal with runners at the corners to swipe its third run.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Definition of swipe

Browse Nearby Words

lifeworks

lift

lifted

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Cite this Entry

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“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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