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
The law raised the maximum age from 54 to 64 for those required to work, volunteer or participate in job training at least 80 hours a month to receive benefits. Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 The government has raised taxes and increased domestic borrowing to keep its budget deficit under control, and taking over major companies could potentially bring in revenue. ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Even after those raises went into effect, the LAPD has lost officers and has been struggling to fill its Police Academy classes, Raman said. Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Annual raises were to be calculated based on the inflation rate, but capped at the average increase in salary given to the district’s workforce. Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Walking into a grief weight-lifting class, though — that could be an easier task.
    Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Another is poised to lift off within the next month, and may be the rocket's first attempt at fully reaching orbit.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Property Masters Guild aims to highlight and elevate the craft of the Property Master by raising awareness, fostering collaboration among craft artisans, educating its members and inspiring future generations of Property Masters.
    Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Curry’s grandfather took him to music halls, fostering his love for the art.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • By the mid-nineteenth century, the it-narrative began to interest authors invested less in provoking excitement than in guiding the moral development of their readers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack.
    Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Venice is also likely to elicit strong feelings in the debate over AI.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Coastal Commission signed off on the project a few years ago, after tussles over low-cost housing provisions during the course of erecting yet another luxury hotel.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In 2021, Parton asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a bill that would have allowed a statue of her to be erected on the grounds of the state Capitol.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gates officially open Monday, August 31, but just over half of the attendees will arrive earlier to build the big art installations and other features of the temporary city.
    Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Netflix long vowed to build growth rather than buy it, but more recently it's gotten a taste for M&A.
    Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The deal amid Utah’s growing push for advanced nuclear power.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2026
  • As her anger and resistance grow, her body begins to transform into porcelain, becoming a powerful symbol of her silent rebellion and her fight to reclaim her own identity.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.
    Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.
    Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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