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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
To bring China to the negotiating table, Trump has repeatedly raised tariffs on Chinese imports—prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own measures. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 Exposure can also raise the risk of conditions including certain cancers, stroke, asthma, preterm births, dementia, depression and anxiety. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
The United Football Players Association has hammered out its first collective bargaining agreement with the UFL, ratifying a two-year pact that includes a pay raise and a health care provision that extends into the offseason. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The district did not present recommendations for teacher raises to the board on Monday, and Harry noted that discussion about raises for teachers are handled through the negotiation process. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 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
  • Bird flu has continued to decimate the egg supply, lifting prices.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Mark Carney won the Canadian election to continue his term as prime minister, Canadian and U.S. news outlets reported late Monday night, closing his victory after President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and tariffs lifted the ruling Liberal Party to a remarkable political comeback.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The initiative aims to foster climate resilience and sustainable development.
    — GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • She was sent to a shelter in Winston-Salem, N.C., which was in desperate need of people to foster the dogs coming from Asheville.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Trump’s comments have provoked a strong reaction, including boycotts on U.S. goods and protests.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • These tales were layered, open to interpretation, and meant to provoke reflection and herein lies their enduring power.
    — Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Just the mention of the legislation was enough to elicit applause and cheers from the audience.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • For his part, the father read this situation well by engaging with his son without overreacting to a scenario that would understandably elicit strong emotions in many parents.
    — Christian Dashiell, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Construction equipment whines as workers erect towering bleachers in a downtown park.
    — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The smoke that wafts from the chimney is created using chemical pellets that are burned in another stove that's connected to the stovepipe chimney, which is temporarily erected atop the Sistine Chapel just for that purpose.
    — Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • A number of defense companies have expressed interest in trying to build the Golden Dome.
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Duhamel purchased some land and spent the last 15 years building a rustic cabin.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • In the late 1960s, some physicists speculated that singularities might be surrounded by a region of churning chaos, where space and time haphazardly grow and shrink.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • This tree definitely has a flair for the dramatic, performing well throughout the South, displaying flowers up to 1 foot wide, growing as tall as 80 feet (depending on selection), featuring glossy evergreen foliage, and exuding a captivating scent that draws your attention.
    — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Tesla has increased North American sourcing for parts of many models over the last two years, which would decrease tariff exposure for the E41, two people aware of the matter said.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Those unused hours can, however, be converted to service credit to increase their government pensions.
    — Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

Browse Nearby Words

rainy day
raise
raise Cain
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-with-string
Fastest Quiz Ever: Missing Link Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All