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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The AuSable River Queen was built 60 years ago by the president of the local chamber of commerce to boost tourism in this rural corner of northeast Michigan. —John Carlisle, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 Getting sunlight first thing in the morning is a great way to boost your vitamin D and serotonin and support your physical and mental health. —Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025
Noun
Trump has also used tariffs, deals and threats as a way to give US industry a boost. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 July 2025 The housing market may be tipping back toward buyers, but a new proposal endorsed by President Donald Trump Tuesday could give sellers a financial boost. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 July 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 David Brooks might say, they were then hoisted on their own petards.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • That poor field position doomed New England, as the Patriots could only reach their own 49 as time expired and Philadelphia hoisted its first Lombardi Trophy.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 17 July 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.
    — Julie Weed, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • David Swartz, analyst with Morningstar who monitors Kohl’s, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY network, that Kohl’s share price has been steadily increasing in recent months.
    — Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • So, do not try to enhance your level by changing a Director role to a VP one.
    — Robin Ryan, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • While administration officials tout the bill as a tool to enhance public safety, immigration experts caution that the funding far exceeds what's needed to target serious criminal offenders.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Detroit Thermal is asking a judge to lift a temporary restraining order from doing work in Lafayette Park's Mies van der Rohe district to build an underground steam heat network.
    — Dana Afana, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • And Boatright delivered another electric ending for the Stars of Storrs, hitting the three to lift the team built around UConn alums to a 78-76 victory over the Green Mountain Men, mostly Vermont alums, in the second round of The Basketball Tournament (TBT) in Syracuse on Monday night.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 July 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The organization aims to promote local music, art and live experiences that drive community, culture and tourism.
    — Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Ads have popped up around NYC promoting Roan’s next single, teasing an August 1st release date.
    — Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • However, the location of the guitar has remained a mystery since September 1971, having been reportedly stolen during the band’s recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. at Villa Nellcôte on France’s Côte d’Azur.
    — Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 15 July 2025
  • How An Ocean Apart is different: The rebellious main character is secretly competing to break his heart and steal his money.
    — Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • Those wishing to provide monetary support to Heinz's parents, Shane and Amber, can do so through either Venmo or PayPal ([email protected]).
    — Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • Soliman spent about four years at Cincinnati Children's, first arriving in the United States in 2014 after being persecuted in his native Egypt for work in support of freelance journalists.
    — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • Key Facts Shares of Nvidia increased by more than 4% to just over $171 as of around 11:10 a.m. EDT, paring back earlier gains after reaching an all-time high of $172.40 and opening to a record $171.19.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The school has been aware of potential problems with its learning gains since last year.
    — Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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