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

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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

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

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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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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 production interruption comes as Nissan undergoes global restructuring to reduce operating expenses and boost sales. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025 South Africa, on the other hand, announced a plan to reduce its dependency on coal from 58% of its energy mix now to 29% by 2039, in particular planning to boost spending on nuclear power. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Zone 2 training also gives your heart a boost, added Christopher Travers, MS, an exercise physiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Oct. 2025 However, the less intense Cold Brew Coffee shake was an easy-to-drink breakfast boost. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 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
  • Wednesday was their first test together, forming the middle of the starting lineup between solid centre Jakob Poeltl and 3-point-hoisting guard Immanuel Quickley.
    — Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The rescuer takes two trips, hooking each passenger up to a line, then hoisting them from the beach, the video shows.
    — Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • The cuts come after Chegg in May laid off 22% of its workforce, citing increasing adoption of AI.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • With increasing space traffic from various nations and private companies, keeping tabs on potential collisions and threats becomes crucial.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • The research team revealed that the findings of the study offer new insights into enhancing the performance of electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Project Cloud Nita Platform Sneakers The Nita has a platform that lifts you about two inches and contains a cushiony memory foam insole for your heels to sink into.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
  • On Friday, cool September inflation data raised investor optimism that the Federal Reserve will keep cutting interest rates, lifting the present value of future profits and possibly boosting corporate earnings too.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Earlier this year, a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Nicklaus Companies against Nicklaus that attempted to prevent the golfer from using his name, image and likeness to promote his golf course design business.
    — Dave Smith, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • After decades of ignoring advances in data and analytics and mainly promoting from within, the Rockies seem intent on hiring an outsider to be their new head of baseball operations, after dismissing general manager Bill Schmidt at the start of October.
    — Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • Multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with the brazen heist of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris, a week after thieves stole millions of dollars worth of historic jewelry, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Marchenko kept the heat on by stealing a page from Johnson’s book of tricks, sliding it through Silovs’ pads.
    — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • From fuzzy open-toe slip-ons to orthopedic slides with extra arch support, there’s an affordable gift in here for everyone.
    — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Some celebrants were building political support for the controversial Barge Canal.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • While the Hong Kong listing should enhance the company’s liquidity and visibility, Zephirin added that a valuation re-rating is unlikely without meaningful gains in capital efficiency or strategy execution.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Salesforce’s stock is down nearly 25% year-to-date, while competitors such as Microsoft (up 25%), Oracle (up 70%), and SAP (up 10%) have seen solid gains.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 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 Oct. 2025.

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