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

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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
In 2017, Fort Worth ISD transformed five chronically underperforming campuses —Mitchell Boulevard, Como, John T. White, and Maude I. Logan elementary schools and Forest Oak Middle School — into leadership academies as part of a $5.5 million effort to boost academic performance at those schools. —Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2025 Bolden’s plan aims to draw patrons from near and far with a vibrant atmosphere that can boost the local economy. —Melody Winston, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
The substation would provide a boost to AquaBounty’s energy needs. —Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Feb. 2025 Elliott’s return to his freshman-year form would be a huge boost for an Ole Miss team looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since its national title season. —Mitch Light, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 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 size issue was only the first of many plagues this bag would hoist upon me.
    — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Move off-road, and an adaptive air suspension can hoist the R1S to a Hummer-esque 37.8 centimeters of ground clearance, enough for leisurely dips in 1.1-meter-deep water; its 149-kWh battery snugged in carbon fiber, aluminum and high-strength steel.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Though Congress began its new session just a little over a month ago, its approval rating has increased among Americans, according to new data from Gallup.
    — Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Easy solution: increase the toll to keep more cars out of Midtown.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Everyone capable of helping with air defense must work to enhance the protection of human life.
    — Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The list includes: enhancing risk management by anticipating legal issues and providing proactive advice, fostering a culture of compliance by embracing technology, and developing a crisis management plan.
    — Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • That puts the order on hold while relevant challenges are litigated – unless the Justice Department can convince an appeals court or the Supreme Court to lift the hold.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
  • At one point, Musk lifted his son on his shoulders.
    — Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • This is the second edition of this competition, with the first running from 2019-23 between seven teams, with Scotland winning while Papua New Guinea was relegated and Canada was promoted.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The nonprofit had been set to receive $165,000 over three years to expand its farmers market and promote urban farming in the area, one of the poorer neighborhoods in Kansas City.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of promote
Verb
  • According to the Financial Times, the recent heist saw large amounts of Ethereum coins stolen from Bybit's cold wallets, which were believed to be more secure than hot wallets typically used for transactions.
    — Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Six days later, the couple lured a man in his 50s to the hotel room to engage in prostitution with Lebron, but after the man handed over the cash and undressed, Lebron threw bleach in his face and the duo beat him for several hours before stealing his phone, wallet and car keys.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of steal
Noun
  • Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and its chief lobbyist Joel Kaplan have criticised EU tech rules and enlisted the support of U.S. President Donald Trump.
    — Foo Yun Chee, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • With the financial support of Oniverse, Marras has been able to gradually expand his namesake brand’s retail network.
    — Luisa Zargani, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of support
Noun
  • The benefits of this can be observed in various ways: Perspective gain.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • As Trump delivers on the economy and the border, foreign policy threatens gains.
    — Matthew Continetti, National Review, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of gain

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Cite this Entry

“Boost.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boost. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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