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noun

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 Boatright delivered another electric ending for the Stars of Storrs, hitting the three to lift the team built around UConn alums to a 78-76 victory over the Green Mountain Men, mostly Vermont alums, in the second round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) in Syracuse on Monday night. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025 But Hippler recently lifted a longstanding gag order, paving the way for prosecutors, police and others connected to the case to speak out. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Noun
Indian Prairie School District 204 is going forward with purchasing three school activity buses with wheelchair lifts, following board approval at Monday’s school board meeting. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 At Park City Mountain, chair lift rides open up for the summer season from the Town Lift, Payday Lift, or Crescent Lift, and gondola rides start from the Red Pine Gondola in Canyons Village. AFAR Media, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift
Verb
  • Money raised will prioritize private residential nursing care, additional support services and ongoing transport and palliative care needs.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 15 July 2025
  • In addition to the money raised, the event boosted awareness of global poverty and hunger.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Sales rose 7% in the second quarter compared with Q2 2024 and 12% in 2025’s first half.
    Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • So a heatwave there in early 2024 that scientists say was made 4 degrees Celsius hotter by climate change saw global cocoa prices rise by a massive 280% in April that year.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Police are investigating after suitcases containing hard drives with unreleased Beyoncé music were stolen from her team’s rental car ahead of her tour stop in Atlanta.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • How An Ocean Apart is different: The rebellious main character is secretly competing to break his heart and steal his money.
    Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Betts was named to the All-Star Five, an honor given to the event’s five best players after averaging 14.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, while Davidson was named to the All-Second team after averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3 steals per game.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Devin Carter is averaging 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • This hat will draw the moisture away from your face and keep sweat from dripping in your eyes—perfect for those rides in the Italian sunshine.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Those in attendance on opening day were charged a whopping $1 entry fee, plus an additional 10 to 30 cents per ride.
    Emily Steinberger, Fortune, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Johnson then set his feet, elevated and released his shot over the outstretched right arm of a 6-foot-11 defender, the Phoenix Suns’ Oso Ighodaro.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The flat front is sophisticated enough to pair with work blouses or elevate your favorite T-shirt with.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The 35-year-old's salary for the 2025-26 season will climb to $70 million due to his earnings from the Portland and Milwaukee deals.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • It's been 30 years since five strangers climbed into a Winnebago RV and drove across the United States in search of handsome rewards.
    Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • Now, though, Tinder cofounder Justin Mateen swiped right on the property, purchasing it alongside his brother Tyler and Culver Capital for $82.2 million.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 July 2025
  • These tiny Android-style slabs can be swiped up for battery info and swiped left or right to navigate the screens.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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