BOOST Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

boost 1 of 2

verb

ˈbüst

Definition of boost

as in to hoist

to lift with effort boosted the child into her car seat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to enhance

to make markedly greater in measure or degree recommended eating foods that boost the body's immunity to disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position boosted the box onto the top shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

boost

2 of 2

noun

as in support

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in increase

something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in incentive

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

An ambitious effort to boost an aging probe on its journey through the uncharted territory of interstellar space seems to have found success. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Marketers have long used inauthentic social media posts to boost visibility, but the rise of chatbots has opened a new front. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

One of the most popular brands of nicotine pouches, Zyn, got a boost from the Food and Drug Administration recently. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 Kansas City’s efforts to build more affordable housing in the city will get a $100 million boost. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost

Verb

Rapp and his crewmate, Suzanne Driscoll, hoisted a lobster trap marked by a bobbing buoy from the Casco Bay.

— Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
History tells us the managers who stay locked in while everyone else pivots toward football draft prep are the ones hoisting trophies come October.

— John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of hoist

Verb

The airport says arrivals to Denver are also delayed an average of 15 minutes and increasing due to the weather.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Earlier this year, Republicans had hoped to campaign on falling rates and a bipartisan bill to increase home construction to help defend their House and Senate majorities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Andrew Reiter, founder of Shield AI, advocates for autonomous drones to enhance military safety by replacing soldiers in dangerous reconnaissance.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The chilliest option on this list, ice diving at Ultima Hotel Courchevel is a thrilling, health-boosting, and mood-enhancing water experience.

— Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

If fiscal spending lifts growth and productivity, markets will be more forgiving.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Speaking from their home in Birmingham, Alabama, over video, Nan Skier lifted her hand to show the very first piece from their collection, which fits comfortably on her index finger.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

Veterinary experts share tips on how to care for the items that come into contact with our furry companions to promote good health and stave off odors.

— Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026
It is commonly used in sports medicine, regenerative medicine and wellness settings with the goal of promoting the healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Louis Varland tied the game in the ninth, and the Cubs won 3-2 in 11 innings when Crow-Armstrong scored from second after stealing third and coming home on a throwing error by catcher Brandon Valenzuela.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Unsurprisingly, firms reaping profits from the AI boom steal the show.

— Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Furthermore, based on Warsh’s recent public comments, the task forces’ eventual findings could potentially provide support for an even more dovish agenda.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Now in the back half of summer break, the couple are calling for additional support to keep their program funded until the beginning of the school year.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Noun

Workers will dispute which tasks should be automated and how resulting gains should be distributed.

— Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
But over the last 12 months, inflation has nearly kept pace with hourly wage gains — and that understates the extent of the problem because debt service costs are not included in the consumer price index.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

boos

boost

boosted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of boost

verb

noun

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