RAISE Synonyms: 510 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz

Definition of raise next

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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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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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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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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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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as in to increase

to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

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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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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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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

Ideally, clinical trials will be paired with basic research to help scientists answer the many questions this discovery has raised. —

Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025 She was born and raised in a small town in West Virginia and started to pursue boxing in college. —

Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Noun

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, who is pushing for a hefty raise, was slapped with multiple state campaign finance violations and ordered to pay $55,000 to settle the matter. —

Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025 The proposal additionally notes that the agency is trying to save money by not hiring people to fill open positions as well as ending bonuses and cost-of-living raises for senior staffers. —

Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise

Verb

Expedia lifted its forecast for full-year revenue growth sharply, thanks in part to 26% quarterly growth in the business-to-business travel division that Gorin ran before becoming CEO.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The plane, an MD-11, lifted off the runway and gained enough altitude to clear a fence at the end of the runway, Inman said during a previous news conference.

— Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025

Definition of lift

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rainy day

raise

raise Cain

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“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: 10 Jan 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of raise

verb

noun

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Synonyms of raise

verb

noun

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The Ups and Downs of 'Raise' and 'Raze'

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