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
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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
Lulingu, a Grauer’s gorilla who was reintroduced to Virunga National Park in eastern Congo, is raising a baby after a successful birth, bringing excitement for the conservationists working there. — Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Amazon — The e-commerce giant gained more than 1% after Morgan Stanley named it a top pick and raised its price target. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
Guidance Looking ahead, here are the details on management's outlook raise. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 CalHR, in a recent PERB filing, said during two-month lull there were sidebar conversations with union officials about economic proposals, potentially including raises. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • According to the team, the coordination is important because pushing or lifting an object changes the forces acting on a humanoid’s body.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • What everyday movements reveal Standing from a chair requires a stable base, enough ankle and hip mobility to shift your weight forward, lower body and core strength to lift yourself, and balance to keep you steady.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Kremlin released a 74-year-old retired teacher accused of fighting for Kyiv — a move experts said would foster goodwill with the White House while costing Moscow little.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ackerley said creating opportunities for people to participate helps foster a sense of belonging.
    — Nicholas Boeke, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • North Korea denied responsibility for the explosions and warned of strong retaliation if provoked.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • What sets empires apart is the capacity to elicit submission across immense distances.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The success elicited loud cheers in mission control, which viewers saw and heard on JAXA's launch webcast.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Under a rerouting plan, original power lines were moved north, erected next to existing infrastructure, or affixed with visual warning systems or bird diverters.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The latest standoff is over a pair of revenue-generating digital billboards the tribe erected on the Sunrise Highway that the state Department of Transportation claims pose a dangerous distraction to passing motorists.
    — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Fellow delivery workers built a memorial outside the grocery store, according to the station.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Japan considers China's rapidly growing military activities in and around Japan, including in the Pacific Ocean, as a threat and has fortified its southwestern region with longer-range missiles and interceptors in recent years.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Running Tide had struggled to grow kelp offshore at scale and shifted toward deployments of wood chips mixed with alkaline substances, said former general manager Kristinn Hróbjartsson.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Kim Hong-Cheol, the South Korean military official, said leaving the dispute over the military demarcation line unresolved would increase the risk of accidental clashes because troops from both sides act on their own understanding of the line.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As rain chances increase overnight, the temperature will drop to 40 degrees.
    — Hali Smith October 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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