lift 1 of 2

Definition of liftnext
1
2
3

lift

2 of 2

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

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
There’s a place for bodyweight exercises, but lifting heavier will get you to your strength goals faster. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 25 Mar. 2026 The reports briefly knocked index futures off their pre-market highs and lifted oil prices off their early morning lows. Monica Alba, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
To her, things really improved only when MacPherson and his partners took over the space and gave it a neo-bohemian lift. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 26 Mar. 2026 This can be a low-lift way to introduce a new color scheme or texture to a space. Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift
Verb
  • Young raised concerns about the legitimacy, and even the existence, of the agreement.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The goal is to continue the mission with the money raised.
    Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.
    Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Lions added to that success stealing both of its attempts in the win over Allegiance.
    Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Podziemski then stole the ensuing inbounds pass to secure the win.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In 73 career regular-season games with the Sirens and Ottawa Charge, Roese has accumulated 25 points (3 goals, 22 assists).
    Twin Cities, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Harmon was the biggest playmaker, leading the Longhorns with 13 assists.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Mothers is a great car-care brand for those of us who take pride in our rides.
    Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Cawthorn’s bumpy two-year ride through Congress included several controversies, including the seemingly debunked claim that he’d been invited to attend a VIP orgy.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter Spike Lee hit the red carpet carrying a handbag designed by Detroit native Runyaro Richardson, a moment that quickly elevated her brand on a global stage.
    Lauren Winfrey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Does Herb Sendek have it in him to elevate the Broncos to the top consistently in a depleted conference?
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, Contra Costa County investigators searched a ravine and found the ladder Matthew Muller described using to climb into a family's house weeks after the March 2015 attack on Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn.
    Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • And Friday’s loss pushed the Heat even further away from climbing out of the play-in tournament.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Blondie, as locals have affectionately named the mama bear to two cubs, was euthanized after swiping at a resident who was walking her dog on March 14 in Monrovia, a city on the edge of the Angeles National Forrest.
    Isabel Yip, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
  • To do so, the PepsiCo unit wants to grab the attention of younger consumers on social and digital media, where interactive technology gives rise to scrolling, swiping and other short-attention span behaviors.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on lift

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster