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 city chose a more muscular solution, raising the park and lifting the river’s edge to form a wall intended to hold back sixteen feet of surge.
—
Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
If Orbán is reelected, the EU could use that funding as a bargaining chip to extract concessions such as lifting his veto of the 90 billion euros to Ukraine, Hegedűs said.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Arvid Söderblom made 25 saves for the Hawks and Connor Bedard had two assists, lifting his team-leading total to 41 and pushing his career point total to 199.
—Mark Moschetti, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Kirill Kaprizov completed his hat trick on a power play with less than two minutes to play, lifting Minnesota to a 5-4 win and pulling the Wild back into contention for home ice in the playoffs.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Cody Bellinger helped the Yankees rally from a four-run deficit through four innings by hitting a two-run homer in the fifth and lifting a sacrifice fly in the sixth for a 5-4 lead.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
That means the economy can shed jobs without lifting the jobless rate, signaling an overall balanced labor market despite a lack of net hiring.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
The 34-year-old from Severna Park, Maryland, got serious about lifting in 2024, around the time her doctor prescribed the GLP-1 medication Zepbound to support her weight-loss efforts.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
If Orbán is reelected, the EU could use that funding as a bargaining chip to extract concessions such as lifting his veto of the 90 billion euros to Ukraine, Hegedűs said.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Arvid Söderblom made 25 saves for the Hawks and Connor Bedard had two assists, lifting his team-leading total to 41 and pushing his career point total to 199.
—Mark Moschetti, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Kirill Kaprizov completed his hat trick on a power play with less than two minutes to play, lifting Minnesota to a 5-4 win and pulling the Wild back into contention for home ice in the playoffs.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Cody Bellinger helped the Yankees rally from a four-run deficit through four innings by hitting a two-run homer in the fifth and lifting a sacrifice fly in the sixth for a 5-4 lead.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
That means the economy can shed jobs without lifting the jobless rate, signaling an overall balanced labor market despite a lack of net hiring.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
The 34-year-old from Severna Park, Maryland, got serious about lifting in 2024, around the time her doctor prescribed the GLP-1 medication Zepbound to support her weight-loss efforts.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifting
Verb
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But the arc — first raising expectations for a big reveal, then declaring there was nothing to see, and ultimately a forced, flawed document dump — was a stubbornly problematic storyline that ran through her time as attorney general.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Despite recent rain and snow in Northern California, state water officials say the Sierra snowpack remains near historic lows, raising concerns about water availability during the hot summer months.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Melrose, Massachusetts attorney Henry Rappa is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a couple who hired him to handle a major family inheritance.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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His exasperated wife, Lili, gets a classic Lucy Punch-up from the veteran scene-stealing British actress (Jingle Bell Heist).—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are self-pampering add-ons too, like scheduling an in-room Swedish and deep-tissue massage, or elevating your sleep with a personalized turndown service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Ailing with a hurt knee and foot that kept him from elevating, the graduate transfer from UAB finished with 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To get on a bus is to spend some time climbing aboard, or being pushed from behind, or being pulled up by the armpit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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This weekend the heat is back, with inland valleys climbing into the mid-80s and San Francisco on track to hit 80 degrees for the eighth or ninth time this year.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pinch-and-hold switches noise modes, while swiping up or down controls volume.—
Christian de Looper,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Hamilton has reached base five times in his nine plate appearances, swiping three bags.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jannik Sinner kept it classic, strapping on a Rolex Daytona before hoisting the championship trophy at the Miami Open.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
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Rodriguez landed on his knees, injuring his shoulder, and was hoisting himself back up when Hernandez allegedly targeted Williams, according to prosecutors.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With right guard Tate Ratledge looking like an ascending young talent, Sewell’s services might be needed more on the left side, where third-year guard Christian Mahogany is coming off a disappointing sophomore season.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Also in 1975, what would become the CIA World Factbook went public, ascending as a reliable research tool often recommended in class projects.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifting. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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