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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Want to boost your confidence, income and career success? —Jaclyn Westlake, CNBC, 24 May 2025 New York City's subway system is testing artificial intelligence to boost security and reduce crime. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
Noun
Rolls-Royce raided its toy box for this highly exclusive version of its Spectre EV, adding light-up grilles and number plates, a dark-finish interior, and—Joker’s favorite—a boost button on the steering wheel. —Chris Haslam, Wired News, 23 May 2025 The imminent return of Lane Thomas should help a bit, and David Fry’s return in a couple of weeks should be a boost, but those two aren’t enough to overhaul an offense that desperately needs support for José Ramírez and Steven Kwan. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 22 May 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
  • The climber holds onto the rescuer as they are hoisted from the cliff, the video shows.
    — Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025
  • Between the statue, the mural, the mosaic, the renaming of a road at the training ground, a host of legends sending their regards and current team-mates hoisting him up into the air, there is not much more that Manchester City could have done to give Kevin De Bruyne a fitting send-off.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • These stressors seem to be taking a toll; measurements show anxiety and sleep deprivation among adolescents are rising, and even teen suicide attempts are increasing.
    — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 26 May 2025
  • Listen to this article 2 min Tensions flared during Saturday's NCAA baseball game between Samford and Mercer. Samford outfielder Michael Gupton hit a two-run homer to increase the Bulldogs' lead over the Mercer Bears.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The league is focused on four key areas: enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment of core against hate.
    — Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
  • Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Then Ottawa’s Rebecca Leslie lifted a puck from Frost defender Maggie Flaherty behind the net, and Jocelyne Larocque slipped a low shot past Rooney to give the Charge the late lead.
    — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
  • The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off from a launch pad on the southeastern coast of India early Sunday, local time, with a radar reconnaissance satellite named EOS-09, or RISAT-1B.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • To take Bregman’s place on the roster, the Red Sox promoted top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer, who started at third base and batted sixth in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 25 May 2025
  • Teens running social media accounts, promoting school events, or launching small ventures can immediately implement these strategies.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Sophomore infielder Luke Nixon was responsible for half of them, stealing 14 in 16 attempts.
    — Mitch Light, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • With Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen and Yosh Nijman all set to become free agents in 2026, Tarquin has a prime opportunity to steal a spot with his youthful (read: cheap) outlook.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • For the moment, though, her support did not reach far beyond progressives.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • Baltimore Sun The vast majority of Marylanders criminally charged – 32 of 46 – come from strong Democratic urban and suburban counties, according to election data analyzed by CNS, not from largely rural countries where Trump support is the strongest.
    — Ariel Sheinberg, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • India and Vietnam made the largest gains – with both receiving attention from Trump in recent weeks, especially India – with the former increasing its market share from 0.12% to 16.89% and the latter from 6.32% to 16.75%.
    — Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Efficiency gains may help, but the shift toward energy-hungry inference workloads will further strain capacity.
    — Quartz Staff, Quartz, 29 May 2025
Definition of gain

Browse Nearby Words

boos
boost
boosted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on boost

Nglish: Translation of boost for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Possum vs. Opossum: Is There a Difference?

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Commonly Misspelled Words

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All