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
The trend has raised alarm because visitors from abroad have an important impact on the U.S. economy — especially in California, one of the leading destinations for German tourists. —Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025 The pallium, a liturgical vestment made of wool from lambs raised by Trappist monks, symbolizes the pope’s role as the shepherd of the faithful; the pope’s pallium is worn on the shoulders, fastened with three pins resembling the nails of the cross, according to the National Catholic Reporter. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
Noun
Teacher pay raises The bill is wide-ranging, but two of its goals deal with teacher pay raises and the amount of money schools get per student. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025 Labor contracts negotiated during Levine Cava’s first term included pay raises for unions that added about $150 million to the budget this year. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 May 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
  • To further lift morale, staff organised a barbecue at the training ground, which went down well with the players.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
  • Colorful murals, many by women artists, greeted me at every turn; one by illustrator Brooke Smart, depicting women lifting each other up, reflects the ethos of the district.
    — Carley Thornell, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Also unique to its program, the AI Workshop offers what every parent needs today, such as guidelines and best practices for integrating AI technology as well as an entire lesson dedicated to the importance of fostering creativity.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • And before long, fostering became a team effort between herself and Simon.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.
    — Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
  • Doctors gave her Pitocin, a medication used to provoke contractions, and a Foley balloon, which is a catheter-​like device that gets the cervix to dilate.
    — Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • In the office of my therapist, this formulation elicits a heavy sigh.
    — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 16 May 2025
  • With this Leafs season hanging in the balance, perhaps this is the moment Berube changes his tone and approach to elicit a response from his players?
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • In this way, a fence was erected, but purely for certain people.
    — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
  • These weren’t hastily erected barracks or rows of identical homes.
    — Eran Ben-Joseph, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • But it’s also used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, from building materials to paints and plastics.
    — Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 17 May 2025
  • So, nix that step by building a home gym that makes squeezing in a HIIT class first thing in the morning, a treadmill run at lunch or a yoga session on the fly much more doable.
    — Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • All three were still actively growing, Ramsay said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The therapy shrank tumors in 19 participants and kept tumors from growing for an average of six months.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.
    — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Net income increased almost thirteenfold last year to $192.4 million from $15.3 million in 2023.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 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 25 May. 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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