boost

Something that helps a person or thing improve, succeed, or become stronger.

• The news gave us a boost.
• Winning the match was a real confidence boost.
• The festival provided a welcome boost to local businesses.

How to use it: a boost to something (The new road gave a boost to local trade.)

Similar words: help, lift, increase

Common phrases: boost to something, confidence boost, give a boost

A push that helps someone reach a higher place.

• Give me a boost.
• With a boost from her brother, she climbed over the wall.
• He needed a boost to reach the window.

How to use it: give someone a boost (Give me a boost so I can reach the branch.)

Similar words: push, lift

Common phrases: give a boost, need a boost, a boost up

To make something stronger, better, or greater.

• Exercise can boost your energy.
• The campaign boosted sales last month.
• Will these changes boost our chances of success?

Similar words: increase, improve, raise

Opposites: reduce, lower

Common phrases: boost sales, boost confidence, boost the economy

To lift or push someone from below so they can reach a higher place.

• Can you boost me up?
• She boosted her son onto the horse.
• We boosted him over the wall.

How to use it: boost someone up (She boosted the child up to the window.); boost someone over something (He boosted me over the fence.)

Similar words: lift, push up

Common phrases: boost someone up, boost someone over