boost 1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst How to pronounce boost (audio)
Definition of boostnext
1
as in to hoist
to lift with effort boosted the child into her car seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number a promotion that boosted the number of interested customers milling about the showroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enhance
to make markedly greater in measure or degree recommended eating foods that boost the body's immunity to disease

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position boosted the box onto the top shelf

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to promote
to provide publicity for boosted the singer's latest release with a round of appearances on all the talk and entertainment shows

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6
as in to steal
slang to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the woman was nabbed trying to boost a couple of bottles of perfume

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boost

2 of 2

noun

1
as in support
an act or instance of helping she always liked to give struggling families in the neighborhood a boost

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales

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3
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity according to the President, a tax cut is just the boost that the economy needs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb boost contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of boost are elevate, heave, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," 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 boost?

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 boost?

Although the words heave and boost have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might hoist be a better fit than boost?

The meanings of hoist and boost largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When could lift be used to replace boost?

The synonyms lift and boost are sometimes interchangeable, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

In what contexts can raise take the place of boost?

The words raise and boost can be used in similar contexts, but 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 boost?

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 boost
Verb
Having them with breakfast or as a mid-morning snack can boost energy and keep you full until lunch. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025 For American travelers, per the Hyatt survey, a whopping 90 percent noted that vacations improve their mood, with 22% saying that the mood boost continued for a week after their trip. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Your social life gets a lucky boost, Scorpio. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 This can help decarbonize the sea travel The plan has recently received a funding boost. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
  1. hoist
  2. increase
  3. enhance
  4. lift
  5. promote
  6. steal
  7. support
  8. gain
Verb
  • As the sun rose, they could be seen stationed in an unidentified area, with Israeli flags hoisted up from military vehicles.
    — Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
  • All the first responders try to hoist the metal wreckage by hand.
    — Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Thus, even if a farmer primarily relied on corn for sustenance and/or trade, planting beans and squash alongside the maize increased the nutritive value of the same area.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    — James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Keney innovations include RibbonFET, a new transistor architecture enabling efficient scaling, and PowerVia, a backside power delivery system enhancing energy flow.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Cal Fire helicopter pilots will be training over three nights, starting Thursday, in the Sacramento area using night-vision goggles to enhance their ability to fight wildfires in the dark.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • The fragrance opens with this bright, fizzy combination of raspberry, orange flower, and mandarin that immediately lifts your mood.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Eight, maybe nine years removed from swiping worms from the corner store and lifting loose change from cars in the mall parking lot.
    — Allen Iverson, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • To avoid tired, swollen feet, swap your ankle socks out for these Charmking compression socks, which promote good blood circulation in the air.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Leo will soon embark on his first international trip, visiting Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to focus on promoting peace in the Middle East.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Baltasar Rodriguez had stolen the ball from an Atlanta defender and crossed the ball to Messi.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Look no further than Saturday’s Game 5, when both the Cubs and Brewers used an opener followed by a bulk reliever, and rookie Misiorowski stole the show with four strong innings to help the Brewers advance.
    — Chad Jennings, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • Attendance is free with proceeds benefiting the Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring scholarship, which offers continuing support to high school students who pursue the arts in college.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Hoka Rincon 4 One of the most affordable options on our list, the Hoka Rincon 4 has earned high praise from shoppers for its considerable comfort, support, and cushion.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • The Chiefs opened the third quarter at their own 19-yard line, but Mahomes guided the offense with chunk gains to five different pass-catchers during an eight-play touchdown drive that took less than four minutes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Projected by some pundits to land higher in the draft, the 6-foot-7 big man’s fall was the Hornets’ gain.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

boos
boost
boosted
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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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