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

Organizers are hoping to boost GOP enthusiasm, but the confab is getting a lackluster reception from some in the party. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 But others said that tariffs have led some manufacturers to boost costs for their consumers, adding to the cost-prohibitions that have softened demand for RVs. — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

Fertilizer can give a lawn a boost, but knowing when to fertilize your lawn is vital for your grass to gain the full benefit of those vital nutrients. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026 When word got around this week that the North Collins Street restaurant might be closing after 37 years, friends rallied around Airways and gave it a business boost to keep it around through Dallas Cowboys football season. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boost

Recent Examples of Synonyms for boost

Verb

The remarkable moment was captured on video shared by the fire department, which shows one of the bears hoisting itself to the top of the large tank before jumping into some bushes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
In McDuffie’s first two seasons, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, then came up short of being the first team in NFL history to hoist a Lombardi Trophy in three consecutive years.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hoist

Verb

There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Leaders must prioritize building cognitive and identity infrastructure, focusing on *how* people think and their self-authorship, ensuring AI enhances human judgment rather than standardizing it.

— Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhance

Verb

But the flood of money is also lifting stocks in tech, infrastructure, energy, and construction, delivering gains across generations.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Latest drone footage from CCTV shows rescue workers using lifting equipment in an attempt to restore and rebuild a road by the turbulent currents and in between the towering mountains.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

When applied to the scalp, certain peptides can send signals that promote follicle function, extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, and strengthen the tissue surrounding the follicle.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Trump has also promoted the destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities and navy, and the reduction in missile and drone capabilities, as measures of success.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Elsewhere, stoles stole the show, particular those draped languidly over the shoulder or fashioned as cummerbunds.

— Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
On multiple occasions, law enforcement officers have used Flock footage to identify and ultimately arrest people accused of stealing from Ulta Beauty stores.

— Kara McGrath, Allure, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of steal

Noun

Yet, earlier this month, I, my fellow editors and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel were informed that support for the Arctic Report Card — our flagship annual report since 2006 — is canceled.

— Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of support

Browse Nearby Words

boos

boost

boosted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of boost

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes