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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
That reality means balancing work, wellness and raising her young son, which has become the foundation for her latest collaboration with Fabletics. —Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026 She was born and raised in San Francisco, but declared her intention in June 2019 to represent China. —Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
The county attorney makes about $126,000 a year, with a 13% raise recommended to the board in January. —Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 19 Feb. 2026 Not everyone has received a raise. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026 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
  • Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan's military capabilities, lifting a ban on lethal weapons exports and moving further away from postwar pacifist principles.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Several profit reports from companies helped to lift stocks Wednesday.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of lift
Verb
  • At the same time, there is a growing recognition that advanced economies might benefit from shifting their focus from merely transmitting information, a task machines increasingly perform well, towards fostering creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
    — José Manuel Barroso, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Traditionally, the cookie program teaches scouts these skills through in-person learning opportunities, and though the season will have significantly less in-person social interaction, Andersson said the Digital Cookie program continues to foster the same kinds of lessons.
    — Talia Mcwright, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Frederick Wiseman, the pioneering documentary filmmaker whose penetrating, observational depictions of public institutions raised ethical issues and provoked social examination, has died.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
  • As tariffs provoke backlash and global trade uncertainty, markets for Texas exports have been curtailed, clipping the wings of our economy.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • The spring and summer months will elicit much mellowing.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The decision elicited protests from families whose children were receiving care at Rady’s gender clinic and from the broader advocacy community that has fought for many years to establish such services in San Diego.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Some lawmakers view Trump’s order skeptically at best, noting the administration has been removing guardrails, and preventing others from erecting them, to an extreme degree.
    — Darius Tahir, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The state approved a nearly $16 million funding for renovations, which included building temporary housing for staff, erecting recreation fencing to ensure that ICE detainees are separated from state prisoners, buying equipment and desks for ICE offices, and purchasing vans and buses.
    — Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • In 2024, researchers at LNET reported building a nanoscale HV device using silicon nanopillars, in which fluid samples evaporated in the channels created by the spaces between them.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The company plans to build a 500 megawatt data center in Deuel County, but only if the state puts forth a tax exemption.
    — Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Israel has raised its alert level amid growing indications of a potential joint US-Israel strike on Iran, Israeli sources told CNN.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Support for social media bans for teenagers has reportedly grown across the European Union.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Climate mandates The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, like Eversource, says state climate mandates and policies are the main driver behind increasing utility bills in the Bay State, specifically naming the NetZero by 2050 climate mandate.
    — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
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 23 Feb. 2026.

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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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