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

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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
Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia report raising alarms or fending off Iranian attacks, as Kuwait says another power and water desalination plant has been hit. Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026 The future of energy access financing is not fundamentally about raising more money. Yariv Cohen, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
Licata also announced earlier this summer that all classroom teachers would receive a 5% raise to make Fort Worth ISD a more attractive destination for the best teachers in the area. Samuel O’Neal 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026 The workers operating the 24-hour transport at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport secured a five-year contract that included an immediate 18% wage increase, annual raises and paid time off. Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Nevertheless, do not expect Jenny Sugarman’s side to be overawed, not after making history last spring by lifting the Adran Premier League title for the first time following a tremendous two-way tussle with holders Cardiff City.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The effects of this tournament will still be studied and analyzed long after Rodri lifted the trophy and Spain danced on Sunday.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • The concept of belonging has taken on an even darker shade under the current government’s anti-immigrant and anti-diversity policies that foster violence against anyone who doesn’t fit the right’s ideal of whiteness.
    Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • This sentiment fosters your wanderlust vibes to explore and travel.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • However, his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of the church.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Fear provoked his legendary rages—breaking chairs, throwing things, cutting people out of his life.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Nonetheless, the box office alone should elicit more respect.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Research shows that burpees elicit a comparable response in the body.
    Jenessa Connor, Health, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Atsushi Matono is responsible for erecting the shingi, a sacred tree placed at the top of one of the floats —the holiest part of the structure, to which a deity is believed to descend.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • New this year will be an enormous 20-foot tipi, as well as a demonstration area revealing the process of erecting tipi’s step-by-step.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Officials said the warning systems built since last year’s catastrophic floods were activated in Kerr County in the early hours before water levels began to rise, allowing for people to react quickly to flooding threats.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Across the nation, some communities have had more blackouts after large data centers move in, and higher power bills as utilities have to build more infrastructure to support them.
    Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • That dividing line is a growing source of concern for the town’s residents, whose economy largely depends on tourism and agriculture.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The award reinforced the engine’s role in the program while reflecting growing demand for compact propulsion systems across the defense sector.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • In recent months, drone sightings in Nikopol have increased from two or three per day to about three every hour, day and night, Varytsev says.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Homelessness after incarceration increases the chances that someone will end up back behind bars, at a steep cost to taxpayers.
    Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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