raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raise (audio)
Definition of raisenext
1
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position he asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they had been to his show before

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2
as in to foster
to bring to maturity through care and education since she was only two when her mother died, the girl was raised mainly by her aunt

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3
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being a proposal to cover the library's red brick with vinyl siding raised a mighty ruckus with those favoring historical preservation

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4
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

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5
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position the mattress will fit into the moving truck only if we raise it on its side

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6
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

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7
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care raises ducks, geese, and other exotic fowl ultimately destined for the dinner table

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8
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

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9
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

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10
as in to introduce
to present or bring forward for discussion one member of the tour raised the subject of appropriate attire for visits to sacred sites in the Holy Land

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11
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

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raise

2 of 2

noun

as in increase
something added (as by growth) the school board approved a raise in the maximum family income for students qualifying for reduced-price lunches

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb raise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raise are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

In what contexts can boost take the place of raise?

The synonyms boost and raise are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 raise?

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

elevated the taste of the public

When might heave be a better fit than raise?

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

heaved the heavy crate inside

When could hoist be used to replace raise?

The words hoist and raise can be used in similar contexts, but hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use lift instead of raise?

Although the words lift and raise have much in common, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

How do rear and raise relate to one another?

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 raise
Verb
Hallie Parker, the more mischievous and outgoing sister, was raised in Napa Valley, California, by her dad, Nick. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025 Attorneys in death penalty cases often raise the issue of past trauma as a mitigating factor for juries to consider when deciding punishment. —The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Noun
Changes and updates from the 2022 contract include new language around nurses’ breaks based on state law, tools to address workplace violence and a 3% raise in the first year, 4% in the second and 3% in the third. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025 If the budget is approved, Robles said, both teachers and non-teachers would see around a 5% raise between the COLA and step increases. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
  1. lift
  2. foster
  3. provoke
  4. elicit
  5. erect
  6. build
  7. grow
  8. increase
Verb
  • The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a federal judge's order pausing the Trump administration's large-scale staffing cuts and agency restructuring.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • He is further accused of ordering the presidential security service to obscure communication records from secure phones used afte the martial law was lifted.
    — Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • But what’s needed is a place to truly foster and nurture those connections.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
  • By taking these steps, your recommendation will effectively showcase your nephew's potential while upholding the integrity of the hiring process and fostering workplace harmony.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Run adversarial simulations, employ red teams, and commission third-party evaluations that deliberately try to provoke harmful behaviors.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Don't run away or climb a tree, which may provoke a chase.
    — Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 8 July 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • The latest tariff announcements from the White House have so far elicited a muted response from U.S. markets.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 July 2025
  • Trump’s new criticism of Putin is eliciting cautious optimism in Ukraine, where officials have repeatedly conveyed to the US president that the Russian leader is unserious about negotiations to end his three-and-a-half year war.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Singularity or not, Silicon Valley has already erected a parallel universe.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025
  • The structures are erected every morning and disassembled every night.
    — Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Teens benefit most from opportunities that blend rigorous academics or real-world work, meaningful mentorship, and hands-on projects — experiences that build skills and confidence long after college applications are done.
    — Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • For instance, social connection lifts our mood and benefits health overall — and friends can hold people accountable when building new, healthy habits.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 14 July 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • The rookie knows that’s the only way to grow in the hectic environment of the NBA Summer League.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • And while Disney frequently has strayed outside of Anaheim – building theme parks in places like Florida and France and China – it’s also continued to grow locally.
    — Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • In a LinkedIn post, Farley called for speeding up permitting processes, increasing spending on vocational training, leveraging robotics and augmented reality to help with these spaces and suggested an AmeriCorps-type program for these roles.
    — Breana Noble, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Over the past year or so, those activities have increased.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2025
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

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rainy day
raise
raise Cain
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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

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