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Definition of boostnext
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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

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boost

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noun

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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 other cats in her foster family has helped boost her confidence; a feline companion would be a plus in her new home. Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 2 May 2026 The Chiefs hope that production carries over to the next level and boosts a pass rush that’s had to find ways to get to the quarterback without blitzing. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026
Noun
So taking a gamble on skirting electoral law and being fined down the line may be worth a potential strategic boost in a chaotic and unsettled election before the primary, Schnur added. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 Last year the company got a boost of local exposure when it was recognized as a 2025 Small Business Superstar by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Lisa Gutierrez may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost
Verb
  • With a burgeoning fanbase that stretched far beyond the South, the Braves turned into a World Series mainstay during the 1990s, and Turner finally hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy in 1995 before selling the franchise the next year.
    R.J. Rico, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Government payments hoisted these operations roughly up to the break-even line, data from the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota shows.
    Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The new thermal insulation material improves upon aerogel by enhancing its mechanical properties while maintaining moisture permeability and quick-drying performance.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
  • Saudi Aramco’s new supercomputer, meant to accelerate the search for new oil and gas deposits and enhance output from existing fields, costs $373 million.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Spurs’ back-to-back wins have lifted them out of the relegation zone and their remaining fixtures are hugely important.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • And dirt is moving on the site of a future 148,000-square-foot Target, where developers and city and county officials lifted their shovels Tuesday.
    Rose Evans Updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • In Chicago local officials were at Laury Bride Bridal Shop in Bronzeville to promote their initiatives in help small businesses succeed.
    CBS Chicago Team, CBS News, 4 May 2026
  • Cerda says this Latino wealth gap report is important because the immigration crackdown of undocumented Latino people leads to uncertainty about their futures, the inability to be promoted or to apply for other jobs because of their undocumented status, which ultimately harms Texas’ economy.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • Someone on South Bascom Avenue reported a check that had previously been stolen from the mail at her apartment complex led to her bank account information being stolen and a $500 charge being made.
    Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
  • Police said the group stole items from the store before driving away in the SUV.
    Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • The only other two candidates to get double-digit support were Bianco and Becerra.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • Public First has spent four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in support of Bores.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Running back Anthony Woods was a standout on the white team, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a six-yard run and going for multiple big gains early.
    Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
  • With that gain, the Dow Industrials component is up more than 55% in 2026 — on track for its eighth straight winning year.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 2 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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