LIFT Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lift' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lift are boost , elevate , heave , hoist , raise , and rear . While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight. // lift the chair while I vacuum

Q: When is 'boost' a more appropriate choice than 'lift'?

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

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 'lift'?

Although the words heave and lift have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. // heaved the heavy crate inside

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hoist' instead of 'lift'?

The meanings of hoist and lift largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. // hoisted the cargo on board

Q: In what contexts can 'raise' take the place of 'lift'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lift , 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 'lift'?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise . // suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

lift 1 of 2

verb

ˈlift

Definition of lift

as in to raise

to move from a lower to a higher place or position I needed help lifting the heavy globe back up to the top shelf

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to rise

to move or extend upward once the sun started to cut through the morning fog, the colorful hot-air balloons began to lift off from the field

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to steal

to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep she turned her back for just a moment, and somebody lifted her purse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lift

2 of 2

noun

as in assist

an act or instance of helping the company's senior vice president gave his son a much-needed lift up the corporate ladder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ride

a means of getting to a destination in a vehicle driven by another I'll need a lift to work while my car is in the shop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lift contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lift are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When is boost a more appropriate choice than lift?

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

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 lift?

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

heaved the heavy crate inside

When is it sensible to use hoist instead of lift?

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

hoisted the cargo on board

In what contexts can raise take the place of lift?

While in some cases nearly identical to lift, 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 lift?

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 lift

Verb

While Electron debuted in 2017, HASTE lifted off for the first time in June 2023. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 This rush of air can stir up large amounts of dust, lifting it into the air and pushing it forward as a wall that can stretch for miles and reach thousands of feet tall. — Brandi D. Addison, AZCentral.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Ricotta and baking powder deliver tenderness and lift, as with some Central and Eastern European pastry doughs. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 Instead, focus on getting lift with texturizing and thickening sprays to make the most out of your natural texture. — Sarah Madaus, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lift

Verb

The college apologized for concerns raised by the comments, and later Monday, EMCC announced Rice’s promotion.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The mere possibility of losing its critical space assets in a surprise attack could push the United States to use its forces early or to delegate launch authority in ways that raise the risk of an accident, to avoid the devastating consequences.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
At the same time, waste is still piling up and resale’s environmental footprint is rising.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rise

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

Hassan has work to do in front of goal, having failed to score in almost 2,000 minutes on the pitch in La Liga, mustering only three assists.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
None of the contemporaneous reports made note of whether the Tesla had one of its driver-assist systems engaged.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of assist

Noun

The 59-foot-tall (18 meters) Electron is designed to give small satellites dedicated rides to Earth orbit and beyond.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The ride reaches speeds of 72 mph, the fastest coaster in Universal’s global portfolio, while traversing 4,100 feet of track, two towering inverted loops and a pretzel loop.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ride

Verb

Sovereign debt loads are already elevated across much of the world, and refinancing maturing debt at higher rates will progressively increase interest costs and strain public finances.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Hot Docs, the world-class documentary film festival in Toronto, has announced some major personnel moves – elevating Diana Sanchez to president and bringing in Mara Gourd-Mercado to succeed Sanchez as executive director.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

After successfully climbing over some large rocks and a fence, Bellin made her way to the East Shore Bike Trail and walked barefoot and injured back to the beach.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
When summer hits and strong afternoon light pours through west- and south-facing glass, all that natural light turns into heat and your electric bill climbs with it.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of climb

Browse Nearby Words

lifeworks

lift

lifted

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Cite this Entry

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“Lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lift. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lift

verb

noun

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