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

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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

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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

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4
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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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

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6
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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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

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

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9
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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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

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11
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
Lawmakers have introduced more than a dozen bills this year, including one proposal to raise the minimum age to 21. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 May 2026 The investment bank upgraded MGM to overweight from neutral on Wednesday, raising its 12-month price target on the casino operator to $46 from $41, implying 10% upside from the last close. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Noun
State employees will get no across-the-board pay raise, which becomes a pay cut when inflation is considered. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Civilian city unions received their own significant package of raises after staging a one-day strike. —Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 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
  • Their decision to lift some restrictions this week came as negotiators appeared to be closing in on a more permanent truce.
    — Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
  • Clark returned to the starting lineup and scored a team-high 22 points to help lift Indiana to its third consecutive victory.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The organizations recognized are providing real-world solutions able to foster both implementation and imitation in the areas of construction and design, policy and finance.
    — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • Matthew Hussey and Gabby Bernstein are authors whose popularity stems from fostering deeply human conversations about topics like authenticity, personal connections, and vulnerability.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Definition of foster
Verb
  • The Lounge hosts rotating art exhibits, spotlighting thought-provoking pieces like ceramics from Thai artist Bathma Kaew-Ngok and showstopping floral arrangements by Naomi Daimaru.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • For years, people took photos of themselves on the 666 to Hel and shared them on social media, relishing the coincidence of a bus to a beach resort provoking mental images of damnation, thanks to the similarity of the town's name to the English word hell.
    — Anna Noryskiewicz, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Both may elicit fear in unsuspecting passerby.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
  • Todd and Julie sued the state of Georgia in 2019, alleging that a tax official had targeted the couple’s estranged daughter and improperly shared confidential tax information to try to elicit compromising information on the family.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • What to make of the image of a UFC cage erected on the White House lawn?
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
  • The Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act would erect constitutional barriers against exactly that kind of expansion.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • As the story builds toward a violent showdown between the mourners and the town, the reader will be entranced by its surreal language and bizarre logic.
    — Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
  • San Diego still wants to build through pressure, circulate the ball, involve the goalkeeper and create superiority through the midfield.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • Slot, who was the target of boos and jeers at the penultimate home game against Chelsea, has lost plenty of support among the fanbase and a growing number are calling for him to be replaced.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The sky, which had been cloudy since the morning, was growing darker and darker.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Becerra’s support increased by 9 percentage points in a little more than two weeks when compared with the May 9-10 Emerson results.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
  • But even on a per-square-foot basis, the price has increased 33%.
    — Allison Schrager, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

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rainy day
raise
raise Cain
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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

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