Synonyms of lift

lift 1 of 2

verb

ˈlift 

1

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

• raise
• elevate
• hoist
• uplift
• boost
• heave
• crane
• hike
• uphold
• heighten
• take up
• up
• heft
• rise
• perk (up)
• jack (up)
• pick up
• ascend
• mount
• upraise
• rear
• upend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• lower
• fall
• push
• slip
• descend
• plunge
• dip
• bear
• press
• depress
• pitch
• sink
• submerge

2

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

• rise
• climb
• ascend
• soar
• thrust
• up
• mount
• slope
• arise
• aspire
• tilt
• upturn
• upthrust
• uplift
• tower
• lean
• surge
• uprise
• uprear
• elevate
• raise
• incline
• boost
• scale
• top
• balloon
• surmount
• tip
• zoom
• upheave
• take off
• upraise
• blast off
• cant
• slant
• recline
• crest
• list

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall (off)
• drop
• descend
• decline
• plunge
• dip
• slide
• sink
• dive
• plummet
• nose-dive

3

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

• steal
• swipe
• grab
• snatch
• pinch
• hook
• boost
• rob
• rip off
• pilfer
• appropriate
• filch
• nip
• pocket
• purloin
• run off with
• thieve
• take
• snitch
• misappropriate
• nick
• walk off with
• pick
• hijack
• make away with
• make off with
• seize
• sack
• knock over
• heist
• loot
• rifle
• plunder
• grasp
• spirit
• pillage
• poach
• kidnap
• burglarize
• shoplift
• abduct
• rustle
• nail
• sponge
• collar
• carjack
• shanghai
• mooch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• buy
• purchase
• give
• contribute
• present
• bestow
• donate
• hand over

lift

2 of 2

noun

1

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

• assist
• assistance
• help
• support
• boost
• aid
• hand
• encouragement
• advice
• backing
• helping hand
• guidance
• service
• leg up
• promotion
• abetment
• facilitation
• sponsorship
• kindness
• advancement
• patronage
• attention
• forwarding
• furtherance
• attendance
• relief
• care
• nurturance
• counsel
• mentoring
• benefaction
• furthering
• favor
• succor
• beneficence
• charity
• hand-holding
• philanthropy
• assuagement
• palliation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• restraint
• obstruction
• inhibition
• constraint
• hindrance
• repression
• frustration
• discouragement
• deterrence

2

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

• ride
• transportation
• transport
• drive
• turn
• spin
• transit
• conveyance
• passage
• joyride

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

Recent Examples of lift

Verb

On the left side, a series of buttons and automatic commands activate the lines to lift the sails, even in rough sea conditions. — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

But a new government, led by conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, lifted the ban on Rojas's extradition, signaling a shift in the nation's security strategy. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

Take Carter Contracting Services (registration required), for instance, a specialist heavy-lift and abnormal-load transport business supporting major infrastructure, energy and electrical grid network projects. — Sophie Attwood, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

For now, there’s an orange scissor lift where the golf simulator will be. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026