boost
1 of 2verb
ˈbüst 
boosted; boosting; boosts
transitive verb
1
: to push or shove up from below
boosted him up over the fence
2
: increase, raise
plans to boost production
an extra holiday to boost morale
3
: to promote the cause or interests of : plug
a campaign to boost the new fashions
4
: to raise the voltage of or across (an electric circuit)
5
slang : steal, shoplift
6
: to administer a booster shot to
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the practice of boosting people with a shot that's different from their primary series.
Adria Cimino
Adria CiminoMr. Biden … pleaded with Americans to get vaccinated or boosted with an extra dose if they haven't already, saying the shots appeared to stave off deaths from the previous worrisome mutation, the delta variant. Tom Howell, Jr.
Tom Howell, Jr.intransitive verb
slang : shoplift
boost
2 of 2noun
1
: a push upward
gave her a boost into the saddle
2
: an act that brings help or encouragement : assist
an innovation that has been a boost to the entire industry
3
: an increase in amount
a boost in prices
Synonyms
Verb
- heave
- heft
- hoist
- jack (up)
- upheave
Noun
- abetment
- aid
- assist
- assistance
- backing
- hand
- help
- helping hand
- leg up
- lift
- support
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She boosted the boy onto his father's shoulders. boosted the child into her car seat Noun a boost in wheat production Exercise can sometimes provide a boost of energy. After layoffs at the company, employees needed a boost in morale. One company's innovation has proven to be a boost to the entire industry. Give the boy a boost onto the stage, will you? See More
Recent Examples on the Web Chris Smith, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 In the post, Lewis said special events in Homewood helped boost sales on those days, but could not sustain the store year round. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 Overall, Bukele remains enormously popular among Salvadorans, largely because of his crackdown on gangs, investments in infrastructure and efforts to boost tourism, even as many remain wary of Bitcoin. Michael Mcdonald, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere on the campaign trail: New Hampshire Senate: A new GOP super PAC has jumped into the New Hampshire Senate race to boost state Sen. Chuck Morse, with the primary less than two weeks away. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2022 For example, the agency is funding efforts to boost protection in the nasal mucosa, where COVID often takes root. Madison Muller, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 Health officials in New York are ramping up efforts to boost polio vaccination rates in local children as yet more poliovirus has surfaced in sewage sampling. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 12 Aug. 2022 Rivian’s efforts to boost sales longer-term were dealt a blow this week with lawmakers proposing to add new restrictions to a $7,500 tax credit available to electric-vehicle buyers. Sean Mclain, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 After that hourlong meeting, Pelosi spoke about the bilateral alliance, forged in blood during the 1950-53 Korean War, and legislative efforts to boost ties, but didn't directly mention her Taiwan visit or the Chinese protests. Hyung-jin Kim And Huizhong Wu, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Teo Armus, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2022 Meatloaf gets a makeover with this recipe, which incorporates balsamic vinegar for that extra boost of flavor. Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 The Sox need some kind of boost, and maybe this will do the trick. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The actual impact of that income boost will be small, according to the report, translating to an increase in national GDP by about 0.1% in 2023 and even less in the years that follow. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 It was published online and reported on by Russian state media, but no reason for the boost in troop numbers was immediately given. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 Crouch said his group had lacked confidence following last year’s 2-7 season, but a victory of this caliber on opening night could be just what the doctor ordered for a major boost. Evan Merrill, The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Thanks to a high-cushioned heel and a 10-mm drop, there’s no shortage of boost in the 2022 iteration of Adidas’s much-loved Ultraboost running sneaker. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 18 Aug. 2022 Now the Revolution are hoping for a similar boost from Gil’s brother, Nacho Gil, who signed with the team Thursday. Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Verb
The size increase also helps Apple boost the battery life, as the wearable will have more room internally for a larger capacity battery pack. Chris Smith, BGR, 7 Sep. 2022 In the post, Lewis said special events in Homewood helped boost sales on those days, but could not sustain the store year round. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 Overall, Bukele remains enormously popular among Salvadorans, largely because of his crackdown on gangs, investments in infrastructure and efforts to boost tourism, even as many remain wary of Bitcoin. Michael Mcdonald, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere on the campaign trail: New Hampshire Senate: A new GOP super PAC has jumped into the New Hampshire Senate race to boost state Sen. Chuck Morse, with the primary less than two weeks away. Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2022 For example, the agency is funding efforts to boost protection in the nasal mucosa, where COVID often takes root. Madison Muller, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 Health officials in New York are ramping up efforts to boost polio vaccination rates in local children as yet more poliovirus has surfaced in sewage sampling. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 12 Aug. 2022 Rivian’s efforts to boost sales longer-term were dealt a blow this week with lawmakers proposing to add new restrictions to a $7,500 tax credit available to electric-vehicle buyers. Sean Mclain, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 After that hourlong meeting, Pelosi spoke about the bilateral alliance, forged in blood during the 1950-53 Korean War, and legislative efforts to boost ties, but didn't directly mention her Taiwan visit or the Chinese protests. Hyung-jin Kim And Huizhong Wu, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Noun
Hotel tax revenue is ultimately a small slice of the fiscal boost that Arlington had expected to get from the deal, including taxes on Amazon’s land, building and equipment. Teo Armus, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2022 Meatloaf gets a makeover with this recipe, which incorporates balsamic vinegar for that extra boost of flavor. Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 The Sox need some kind of boost, and maybe this will do the trick. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The actual impact of that income boost will be small, according to the report, translating to an increase in national GDP by about 0.1% in 2023 and even less in the years that follow. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 It was published online and reported on by Russian state media, but no reason for the boost in troop numbers was immediately given. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 Crouch said his group had lacked confidence following last year’s 2-7 season, but a victory of this caliber on opening night could be just what the doctor ordered for a major boost. Evan Merrill, The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Thanks to a high-cushioned heel and a 10-mm drop, there’s no shortage of boost in the 2022 iteration of Adidas’s much-loved Ultraboost running sneaker. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 18 Aug. 2022 Now the Revolution are hoping for a similar boost from Gil’s brother, Nacho Gil, who signed with the team Thursday. Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
of obscure origin
Noun
noun derivative of boost entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
boost 1 of 2
verb
ˈbüst
boosted; boosting
1
: to raise or push up from below
He boosted me through the window.
2
: to make bigger or greater
boost production
boost
2 of 2noun
: a push up : an act of boosting
Give me a boost over the fence.
Medical Definition
boost
transitive verb
ˈbüst
: to administer a booster shot to
Cape Cod is getting assistance from the state in vaccinating and boosting people against COVID-19 with 12 free public vaccination clinics … Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts)
Cynthia McCormick, Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, Massachusetts)… the Anne Arundel County Department of Health would like to remind visitors to the Annapolis celebrations to get vaccinated (or boosted), wear a mask, and maintain distance. US Fed News
US Fed Newsboost 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to hoist
to lift with effort boosted the child into her car seat Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hoist
- heave
- raise
- heft
- uplift
- elevate
- upheave
- up
- hike
- jack (up)
- rear
- upraise
- uprear
- pick up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lower
- drop
- depress
- sink
- submerge
- submerse
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
- increase
- accelerate
- augment
- expand
- raise
- enhance
- multiply
- extend
- maximize
- amplify
- intensify
- strengthen
- reinforce
- swell
- stoke
- up
- aggrandize
- escalate
- enlarge
- build up
- compound
- hype
- pump up
- supersize
- supplement
- spike
- heighten
- skyrocket
- jump
- add (to)
- lengthen
- boom
- develop
- complement
- prolong
- inflate
- stretch
- draw out
- blow up
- elongate
- magnify
- dilate
- distend
- accumulate
- protract
- bump (up)
- parlay
- amass
- collect
- ratchet (up)
- rachet (up)
- reenforce
- follow up
- beef (up)
- flesh (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduce
- decrease
- diminish
- lower
- lessen
- downsize
- subtract (from)
- abate
- shorten
- curtail
- dwindle
- minify
- abridge
- abbreviate
- compress
- de-escalate
- contract
- constrict
- condense
- retrench
- cut back
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
- enhance
- intensify
- heighten
- deepen
- strengthen
- consolidate
- reinforce
- amplify
- accentuate
- broaden
- expand
- augment
- sharpen
- step up
- redouble
- maximize
- magnify
- accelerate
- lengthen
- supplement
- extend
- emphasize
- beef (up)
- enforce
- hasten
- stress
- quicken
- enlarge
- amp (up)
- restrengthen
- enliven
- exacerbate
- aggravate
- reenforce
- point (up)
- jazz (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduce
- decrease
- moderate
- diminish
- tone (down)
- lessen
- abate
- weaken
- subdue
- alleviate
- let up (on)
- recede
- subside
- ease
- lighten
- wane
- taper (off)
- dwindle
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
- lift
- raise
- elevate
- uplift
- heighten
- up
- hoist
- heft
- hike
- rise
- uphold
- take up
- crane
- heave
- upraise
- ascend
- perk (up)
- pick up
- mount
- jack (up)
- upend
- rear
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lower
- drop
- push
- fall
- dip
- plunge
- slip
- descend
- depress
- pitch
- bear
- press
- sink
- submerge
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
- promote
- sell
- publicize
- push
- hype
- tout
- advertise
- announce
- plug
- pitch
- talk up
- praise
- ballyhoo
- merchandise
- beat the drum (for)
- hail
- acclaim
- bark
- review
- publish
- laud
- broadcast
- endorse
- merchandize
- recommend
- plunk (for)
- plump (for)
- plonk (for)
- indorse
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
- steal
- lift
- swipe
- grab
- pinch
- appropriate
- rob
- pilfer
- snatch
- rip off
- hook
- pocket
- filch
- nip
- misappropriate
- take
- nick
- snitch
- thieve
- hijack
- purloin
- seize
- heist
- pick
- knock over
- loot
- sack
- plunder
- run off with
- walk off with
- make off with
- make away with
- pillage
- poach
- burglarize
- spirit
- rifle
- kidnap
- grasp
- highjack
- sponge
- nail
- shoplift
- abduct
- carjack
- collar
- rustle
- mooch
- shanghai
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- buy
- give
- contribute
- purchase
- present
- bestow
- donate
- hand over
boost
2 of 2noun
1
as in help
an act or instance of helping she always liked to give struggling families in the neighborhood a boost Synonyms & Similar Words
- help
- support
- assist
- assistance
- lift
- aid
- encouragement
- advice
- backing
- hand
- helping hand
- guidance
- promotion
- service
- leg up
- advancement
- furthering
- abetment
- facilitation
- sponsorship
- kindness
- patronage
- attention
- nurturance
- benefaction
- attendance
- furtherance
- mentoring
- forwarding
- relief
- care
- favor
- counsel
- succor
- beneficence
- charity
- philanthropy
- assuagement
- hand-holding
- palliation
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interference
- inhibition
- hindrance
- restraint
- obstruction
- constraint
- frustration
- repression
- deterrence
- discouragement
2
as in increase
something added (as by growth) a sudden boost in sales Synonyms & Similar Words
- increase
- gain
- raise
- addition
- rise
- increment
- augmentation
- more
- plus
- expansion
- supplement
- step-up
- uptick
- proliferation
- accrual
- accretion
- accumulation
- addendum
- spike
- continuation
- complement
- jump
- upturn
- extension
- gathering
- collection
- appendix
- accession
- assemblage
- uptrend
- run-up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decrease
- reduction
- lowering
- loss
- decline
- lessening
- depletion
- falloff
- diminution
- shrinkage
- fall
- decrement
- diminishment
- abatement
- deduction
- drop-off
- subtraction
- step-down
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
- incentive
- impetus
- encouragement
- motivation
- stimulus
- spur
- momentum
- stimulant
- goad
- fuel
- catalyst
- cause
- impulse
- reason
- provocation
- inducement
- instigation
- yeast
- spark
- shot in the arm
- incitement
- incitation
- consideration
- motive
- invitation
- antecedent
- occasion
- grounds
- catalyzer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disincentive
- counterincentive
Synonym Chooser
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
Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.
elevated the taste of the public
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
The meanings of hoist and boost largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.
hoisted the cargo on board
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
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
Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.
suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs