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
The union has also called for a minimum 4 percent raise, and for the museum to become an accredited living-wage employer in London. News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026 The ratchet up in the spending forecast from Google follows an $80 billion equity raise from the company in June that took many investors by surprise. Tobias Burns, CNBC, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • If fiscal spending lifts growth and productivity, markets will be more forgiving.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking from their home in Birmingham, Alabama, over video, Nan Skier lifted her hand to show the very first piece from their collection, which fits comfortably on her index finger.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Each experience is designed to foster both vitality and renewal, allowing guests to engage with the destination through movement while taking in sweeping Pacific views.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
  • Creating art with food and fostering community with a something-for-everyone vibe sets Madison Social Charcuterie apart, according to owners Emily Begnaud and Alli Kisner.
    Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • But this latest barrage is both broader and more intense, largely because Ukraine’s recent successes, particularly inside Russia, have provoked Putin to try to reclaim battlefield momentum.
    Ian Bremmer, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Consumer price index and personal consumption expenditures readings can sometimes yield different outcomes – and provoke disagreement – regarding the direction that prices are heading.
    Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Bedward elicits commentary from latter-day scholars, historians, and Vodou priests.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • While Schreier and Marvel execs have been meeting and auditioning actors for a number of roles, with the Frost character appearing to elicit the most thorough search among the new cast.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The killing sparked nationwide unrest, with cartel members erecting highway blockades and setting fire to vehicles and buildings across 20 Mexican states.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • With the city hall's toilets out of order, officials erected emergency toilets over sewer manholes outside the building, in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and stifling humidity.
    USA Today, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • It’s been less than a year since Georgia Power’s regulator said the utility could double the size of its power grid and build new power plants, solar arrays and battery storage because of all the data centers slated to come here.
    Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • The demand for memory chips in the data centers being built to power AI is causing a shortage and sending prices skyrocketing.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • People can write about changing tastes, but as characters that grow and evolve through the decades, there are none better than the Marvel characters — and none better than Peter Parker.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave.
    Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The airport says arrivals to Denver are also delayed an average of 15 minutes and increasing due to the weather.
    Christa Swanson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, Republicans had hoped to campaign on falling rates and a bipartisan bill to increase home construction to help defend their House and Senate majorities.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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