hoist 1 of 2

verb

ˈhȯist How to pronounce hoist (audio)
Definition of hoistnext
1
as in to heave
to lift with effort dockworkers hoisted all 164 barrels of molasses out of the ship's hold when it arrived in port

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position hoisted the flag on the flagpole

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to sip
to swallow in liquid form I have time to hoist a couple beers before heading home

Synonyms & Similar Words

hoist

2 of 2

noun

as in raising

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hoist contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hoist are boost, elevate, heave, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use boost instead of hoist?

The words boost and hoist are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 hoist?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When could heave be used to replace hoist?

In some situations, the words heave and hoist are roughly equivalent. However, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When is lift a more appropriate choice than hoist?

The synonyms lift and hoist are sometimes interchangeable, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

Where would raise be a reasonable alternative to hoist?

The meanings of raise and hoist largely overlap; however, 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 hoist?

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 hoist
Verb
Nothing galvanizes a team on the cusp like seeing a division rival hoist the Lombardi Trophy. —Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025 The accessible changing restroom with hoist, from Momentum Refresh, now also includes a breastfeeding and sensory-friendly space. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Aces have come on strong as of late, but the Lynx will enter the postseason as one of the clear favorites to hoist the championship trophy. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 But on Friday, after losing in straight sets to Alcaraz, having done so to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic, the archest of arch-competitors, effectively hoisted the white flag. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hoist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hoist
  1. heave
  2. lift
  3. sip
  4. raising
  5. raise
  6. drink
  7. takeoff
  8. gulp
Verb
  • Just seven seconds into the second quarter, Beck heaved the first touchdown pass of his Miami career to freshman slot receiver Malachi Toney, a product of Plantation American Heritage and UM’s top receiver Sunday with six catches for 82 yards and the score.
    — Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Since 2023, the actor has regularly been photographed at the Studio City Farmers Market, arms—and Bode tote—heaving with tulips, pincushions, sunflowers, and sea lavender.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of heave
Verb
  • The lockdown was later lifted, but the university said access to campus would remain restricted to students, faculty, and staff with a valid school ID as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies continued to investigate the threat.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This process lifts stains without increasing their surface area, which can be an issue when scrubbing by hand with a cloth or brush.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • So pack that sunscreen, toss a floppy hat into your weekend bag, and get ready to sip fruity drinks with tiny umbrellas.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Regardless, the judges sipped this one in the blind.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of sip
Noun
  • She certainly has been affected by her human hand-raising, however.
    — Terry DeMio, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • What the Panama Playlists reveal The playlists range from ironic to eyebrow-raising, with some choices feeling almost too on the nose.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of raising
Verb
  • The deal, brokered after a standoff between state and county officials resulting from a disagreement over whether to raise assessments this year, means homeowners will see a nearly 7% increase above their 2024 property valuation.
    — Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Bundy family said information about the object removed from Ryan Bundy’s arm could raise more questions in the incident.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of raise
Verb
  • Anyone who’s drinking hot pumpkin spice lattes in a chunky sweater may need to rein it in for a little while.
    — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Delicious now, this will drink well for the next 4-6 years.
    — Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of drink
Noun
  • All but one of the 242 people on board Air India Flight 171 on June 12 were killed when the Boeing Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad in western India.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The strike occurred during takeoff, FedEx officials confirmed.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of takeoff
Verb
  • One night Icarius got all his friends together for a wine-tasting party that quickly got out of hand and turned into a wine-gulping party.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The pressure is always on the taker, the player standing, gulping, trying desperately not to unload their lunch onto the turf, preparing to do something theoretically simple — kick the ball into the net from 12 yards with only one opponent able to stop them.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of gulp

Browse Nearby Words

hoi polloi
hoist
hoisted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hoist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hoist. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hoist

Nglish: Translation of hoist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hoist

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