1
as in raising
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
I needed help lifting the heavy globe back up to the top shelf
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rising
to move or extend upward
once the sun started to cut through the morning fog, the colorful hot-air balloons began to lift off from the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
she turned her back for just a moment, and somebody lifted her purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lifting
The Celtics, in danger of squandering their once-endless pile of assets, needed a do-everything big man to complement Tatum and Brown on the court while lifting the young stars closer to their potential each day.
—
Jay King, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Torquemada also underlined the Netflix effect in lifting the Spanish capital to its status of a leading European production hub since the global streamer first set up shop locally a decade ago.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Harrison Fins, no address given, shopping lifting over $100 by price tag tampering.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Fendi is lifting the veil on the future of Silvia Venturini Fendi — but is keeping mum about the new creative direction of the brand.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
High-resolution 3-D scans allow researchers to visualize minuscule anatomies without lifting a scalpel.
—Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025
We’re surrounded by empty sand dunes, and the fog is lifting.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Nvidia shares jumped nearly 4% on Monday following the announcement, lifting the S & P 500 to another all-time high.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
While under surveillance, Throneburg was seen helping customers at the firm as well as lifting and carrying tables at work, prosecutors wrote in court documents.
—Julia Marnin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2025
Jay King, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Torquemada also underlined the Netflix effect in lifting the Spanish capital to its status of a leading European production hub since the global streamer first set up shop locally a decade ago.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Harrison Fins, no address given, shopping lifting over $100 by price tag tampering.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Fendi is lifting the veil on the future of Silvia Venturini Fendi — but is keeping mum about the new creative direction of the brand.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
High-resolution 3-D scans allow researchers to visualize minuscule anatomies without lifting a scalpel.
—Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025
We’re surrounded by empty sand dunes, and the fog is lifting.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Nvidia shares jumped nearly 4% on Monday following the announcement, lifting the S & P 500 to another all-time high.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
While under surveillance, Throneburg was seen helping customers at the firm as well as lifting and carrying tables at work, prosecutors wrote in court documents.
—Julia Marnin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifting
Verb
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Fighting on the island had stopped, so the soldiers in the picture were not under fire, and the action of raising the flag (there is a movie of it) took all of a few seconds.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
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Finally, a potential government shutdown is looming, and talks have remained stalled as the deadline approaches, raising concerns about federal worker furloughs and service disruptions.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The water system is in most urgent need of financial help, according to the IBA, largely due to the rising costs of buying water from the San Diego County Water Authority and the lack of regular rate hikes prior to 2023.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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Many in the state are already weathering crowded emergency rooms, rising air conditioning bills and vanishing opportunities to safely work or play outdoors.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2007, two poachers were caught stealing 17 saguaros from Saguaro National Park and surrounding county land.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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That network was spearheaded by Ilan Shor, an oligarch living in exile after he was convicted in absentia for his role in stealing $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Directors Guild of America is elevating its in-house public relations staffer ahead of the union’s 2026 negotiations with top studios and streamers.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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The event underscored the significance of McMillan’s leadership while also affirming the fair’s commitment to fostering community and elevating Black voices.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The latest reading reveals that inflation has caught up with many items with the overall index climbing nearly 11% over the past two and a half years.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Oct. 2025
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Simple tasks like sitting on the couch, climbing into a car seat or getting down on the floor became difficult.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The charging bear slams against the car as the door closes, swiping at the space where the man's head was moments before.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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After dropping them off in a narrow street, Rojas started swiping through the app for a new passenger.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Roberto Luongo never felt the glory of hoisting the Stanley Cup during his playing days.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
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On the same day, thousands of demonstrators made their way through the streets of London, hoisting signs, flying flags and carrying banners to make their opposition to Trump known.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Janney joined The Diplomat in the show’s second season, playing Vice President Grace Penn — who (spoiler alert) will be ascending to the presidency following the death of President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) in the final moments of the season.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
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The speculation spread online, leading some Christians to begin planning for the event, while others satirized about ascending into the sky.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifting. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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