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boast

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word boast distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of boast are brag, crow, and vaunt. While all these words mean "to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments," boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

boasts of every trivial success
the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

When might brag be a better fit than boast?

The words brag and boast can be used in similar contexts, but brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

When is crow a more appropriate choice than boast?

In some situations, the words crow and boast are roughly equivalent. However, crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

How is vaunt related to other words for boast?

Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

Examples 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 boast
Verb
The fifth will be the first Ariane 64, the rocket's second and most powerful configuration, which boasts four of the solid boosters. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 17 Jan. 2025 Classical The anatomy of a human mouth boasts many components, and Roomful of Teeth seems to have mastered all of them. The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
The Dreamville head honcho ate up the opportunity, delivering a long verse loaded with confident boasts and strong wordplay. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Sep. 2024 Back before the infamous 2018 cheating scandal, the macho Australian team would puff their chests out and proclaim series whitewashes among other boasts. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for boast 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boast
Verb
  • One of them recently bragged about sabotaging previous iterations of the ceasefire proposals.
    Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Taking civilian hostages is a war crime, and negotiating with a group that brags about taking them is more like negotiating with the Joker than with Nelson Mandela.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Eaton Fire in the Altadena area was 95% contained at 14,021 acres.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The sunscreens contain photolyase to calm and soothe; niacinamide for brightening and collagen production; squalene for hydration; and lingonberry to ward off blue light damage.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Italy has long been a tourist haven, renowned for its enchanting landscapes, historical treasures, and culinary delights.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Sift through treasures and trinkets Porcelain figurines, vintage Christmas decorations and old records occupy neighboring storefronts along Rue St. Paul, in the antiques district.
    Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since then the group and community have held many more meetings and candlelight vigils, taught residents about Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of fentanyl, and trained them how to use it.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The ceremony is currently still set to be held outdoors.
    Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Yet, all the focus is on Azure, the crown jewel in the Intelligent Cloud segment (up 20% and generated a revenue of $24.1 billion) for Microsoft.
    GuruFocus, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Upstairs, Elsesser’s serene, hotel-like sleeping quarters lead to the crown jewel: a bathroom to rival all bathrooms, where marble, mirror, and walnut paneling combine to symphonic effect.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But the three fights in the first seven minutes shouldn’t have been the highlight of Minnesota’s night.
    Joe Smith, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Hotel La Misión Loreto Hotel La Misión Loreto is perched along Loreto's oceanfront malecón promenade, its sweeping views from spacious balconies the highlight of a stay.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Before Muse arrived, that honor belonged to Golden by Jung Kook.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The Next Generation has the dubious honor of being the first Trek show where veteran fans warn against new fans starting at the very beginning.
    Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Glasgow City, an independent operation not linked to a men’s side, won 14 titles in a row between 2008 and 2021, and picked up their 16th league trophy in 2022-23.
    Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
  • They’ll be accompanied by posters, photos, car club clothing, trophies and pin-striping tool kids.
    Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near boast

Cite this Entry

“Boast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boast. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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