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
Nunes’ struggles to find appropriate support — legally and socially — leading her to create the eponymous NGO to help families facing similar issues while raising trans children. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025 Johnson raised concerns that nuking the filibuster could one day empower socialists, in an appearance on C-SPAN Thursday. —Steven T. Dennis, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
Shares rose nearly 1% following reports that the chipmaker was tapped for xAI’s $20 billion raise. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025 But one player who is destined to remain on the team despite a brutal setback on both offense and defense this season can expect a pay raise. —Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 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 research team also revealed that the robots can change their shape and gait to adapt to different terrains or to perform a variety of functions, such as gripping and lifting objects.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Two teaspoons of baking powder lift the dense cookie dough into puffy masterpieces.
    — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Residential growth should emphasize homes that foster stability, community pride and a quieter pace of life, rather than dense, mixed-use sprawl.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Morgan sees fostering more homegrown talent as the key.
    — NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • The one vote against the proclamation came from Board Chair Kathryn Barger, who warned that the county’s action could provoke legal consequences.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • The million-dollar reward elicited hundreds of tips.
    — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • This question elicited markedly different responses among partisans.
    — Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Practice just ended upstairs inside the Novant Health Training Center, which sits across the street from the multi-million facility being erected that’s going to serve as the Charlotte Hornets’ performance center in 2027.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2025
  • That monument, erected in 1892, finally found a new home earlier this year in the Lost in New Haven Museum, NBC Connecticut reported.
    — Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Shon and his collaborators, including Ruozhu Feng and Wei Wang, built their prototype with carbon electrodes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Nearly every duke and earl and baron in England was competing to build great rare book collections, and lots and lots of fake manuscripts emerged.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Winding roads eventually lead to Hotel Corazón, a former finca — a country estate — growing produce on its cantilevered farmland that has been transformed by two expat artists into a boho chic retreat.
    — Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • While Cab Franc’s aromas and flavors vary depending on where it is grown, winemakers and wine lovers alike are captivated by its combination of fruity and savory characteristics.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Thus, even if a farmer primarily relied on corn for sustenance and/or trade, planting beans and squash alongside the maize increased the nutritive value of the same area.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The alliance should also increase its training with an eye toward degrading or destroying the Kaliningrad facilities should direct hostilities break out.
    — James Stavridis, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 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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