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
The rise in automation, though, has also raised concerns about whether AI will wipe out certain jobs in software engineering, customer service, entertainment and other areas. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 KeyBanc reiterates Nvidia as overweight Key raised its price target on the stock. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Noun
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District recently approved new contracts with their teacher and school employee unions this spring that included pay raises and better protections for leaves of absence. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 The law would be repealed if it is absorbed by a collective bargaining agreement that gives the special education teacher aides equal to or better than a $10,000 pay raise. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Messi and Argentina lifted the World Cup trophy, the first in Messi’s storied career, but the Frenchman went home with the Golden Boot.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The elevator has to be repaired and reinspected in order for the cease-use order to be lifted.
    Alice Gainer, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • The concept of belonging has taken on an even darker shade under the current government’s anti-immigrant and anti-diversity policies that foster violence against anyone who doesn’t fit the right’s ideal of whiteness.
    Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • This sentiment fosters your wanderlust vibes to explore and travel.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Jason Melara, Taylor and Johnson not only with his murder, but also the killing of Mario Melara under the theory that his death was provoked by the armed robbery of Aguilar.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Collina said that such allegations could provoke threats against referees and their families.
    Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Bellingham’s equalizer from close range elicited a roar from that crowd that included Mick Jagger and England great David Beckham.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • Some residents say the expansion is a red flag for a project that has already elicited skepticism among neighbors.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Trump has also paved over the grass at the White House Rose Garden to create a patio with tables, and erected two massive flagpoles on the North and South lawns.
    Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Details of the Swift-Kelce wedding are still tricking through the wall of NDAs Tree Paine presumably erected around Madison Square Garden.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Officials said the warning systems built since last year’s catastrophic floods were activated in Kerr County in the early hours before water levels began to rise, allowing for people to react quickly to flooding threats.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Across the nation, some communities have had more blackouts after large data centers move in, and higher power bills as utilities have to build more infrastructure to support them.
    Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • Calls for police in Wilmington, Delaware, to release body cam footage from the officer who shot and killed Kadir Skinner in June are growing.
    CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Former patrons of the bar and other mourners visited the site Tuesday, adding to the growing pile of flowers leaning on the guardrails cordoning off the location of the blaze.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • The legislation reflects the complexity of the crisis, combining a total of 47 proposals aimed at increasing housing supply, reducing costs and expanding access to affordable homes.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • On average, Google says this new data should increase your backup size by 40 MB.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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