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
And that perspective comes from how they were raised, the things that happened to them, how they’ve been treated in the world. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 That has raised alarm bells for Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
Faculty had received raises in each of the last four academic years. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 This plays a larger role than pay raises, which can be achieved without new funding or policies. — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Australia’s central bank lifted its benchmark rate on Tuesday for the fourth time this year, taking it to the highest level in 15 years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Just as Kessler is expected to lift the Lakers’ offense by pairing with Luka Doncic, the Lakers are equally excited for the influence Kessler can have on defense.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Modern politics is not built to foster long-term thinking about such challenges, said longtime political strategist Darry Sragow.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Central bankers adjust the target range on the fed funds rate for two reasons — their dual mandate of maximizing employment and fostering stable prices.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Trotting out this try-hard trifecta of confusing, uninspired installments in a year that’s seen so many entertaining, thought-provoking additions to the horror genre?
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Ayer came on board the film after reading Cameron Alexander’s script, which provoked such a strong emotional response that the director couldn’t resist taking the material on.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In Mississippi, for two decades, sheriff’s deputies routinely water-boarded and beat people in order to elicit a confession, according to a 2023 investigation by Mississippi Today.
    — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Even heartfelt moments where Jackie’s deepest secrets are revealed, connecting her sordid past to her chaotic future, fail to elicit a true emotional tug.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The court’s decision comes just weeks after the administration erected the first border wall panels in the Big Bend sector in the middle of September.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The blades were smaller then, the towers shorter, the whole apparatus closer to a windmill than the hulking machines erected today—the tallest of which exceed 300 meters, with rotor blades longer than a football field.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Officials said during the Oval Office event that building the pipeline will take three years and that exports of liquified natural gas would begin two years after that -- but that was dependent on financing coming through fully.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In the hands of the Great Gulf Group, Shift has been untended since it was built, an object of neglect.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Yet the diverging political and regulatory attention paid to the two industries makes increasingly little sense, given the bond market’s growing primacy in the financial system, and its ability to also cause mayhem.
    — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Known for its expanding flosses, the company has been on a growth streak of late, growing its business 183 percent in three years and expanding its presence in key retailers like Target and Walmart.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Contributions would increase depending on family size, with a family of four expected to pay $500,000, officials said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Europe in particular appears vulnerable to increasing borrowing costs, with inflation in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain all exceeding analysts’ expectations.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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