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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

11

raise

2 of 2

noun

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
As the economy boomed, multiplexes multiplied and box office prospects rose, even independent projects with no stars attached could raise reasonable budgets in China. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 According to Charlotte de Geyter, Susie’s arrival in September marked a new chapter for both her and her mother, who raised her as a single parent. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
No announcement on an equity raise to fund AI investments, but Meta is creating a new class of non-voting stock, which could be a source of funds in the future. — Jeff Marks,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Only two councilmembers -- David Marks and Nino Mangione -- voted against the raises. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Chen stepped up and recorded two consecutive kills to lift the Panthers to a three-point win in the final set.
    — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, other parts of the economy are already being hit by higher rates, which were lifted by market forces, even before the Fed hiked last month.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But the museum has not yet fostered an ideal environment for them.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There are also opportunities to learn more about how hunting can provide food and help foster regional wildlife conservation courtesy of guest speakers.
    — Heide Brandes, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The best of these films are simultaneously suspenseful, thought-provoking and dazzling.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In his view, the peaceful crowds that greeted Machado on Sunday undermined arguments that her return would necessarily provoke unrest.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • What sets empires apart is the capacity to elicit submission across immense distances.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The success elicited loud cheers in mission control, which viewers saw and heard on JAXA's launch webcast.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Under a rerouting plan, original power lines were moved north, erected next to existing infrastructure, or affixed with visual warning systems or bird diverters.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The latest standoff is over a pair of revenue-generating digital billboards the tribe erected on the Sunrise Highway that the state Department of Transportation claims pose a dangerous distraction to passing motorists.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • It was selected as the foundation of Britain’s five-ship Type 31 programme, which is being built at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Most residents in Flagler Village are eager to see more tall towers built, according to Glassman.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The bank also expects revenue to grow annually through 2028, targeting 5% growth that year compared with 2027, excluding notable items and on a constant currency basis.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Some studies also suggest moving commuting times nearer to dusk in the fall increases the risk of vehicle collisions with deer and other wildlife, which are more active around sunset.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Advance voting has also increased more than 30% from the same point four years ago in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas, states with competitive Senate races.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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