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

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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
At the heart of her life was her daughter, Angeline, whom friends and relatives said Joseph raised to be both resilient and tender, reflecting her mother’s own spirit. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025 Prague Reuters — Billionaire Andrej Babis’s ANO party cruised to victory in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election on Saturday, raising the prospect of a government that would boost Europe’s populist, anti-immigration camp and reduce support for Ukraine. —Reuters 3 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
While educators are eager to see raises, the district has countered with 0% pay increases. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 Post-extension-signing, a seven-victory season granted a yearly raise of $250,000, eight victories a $500,000 raise, and nine a $750,000, non-cumulative. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 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
  • Eventually, around five firefighters arrived and were able to lift the elevator roughly five feet to pull them out safely.
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Once the man was no longer surrounded by the beans, first responders were able to attach the man to a harness and lifted him up and out of the grain bin.
    — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The Biden administration announced more than $170 billion worth of investments to foster domestic EV auto production.
    — Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The city is home to a robust ecosystem of producers, service companies and highly skilled professionals, now reinforced by the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster, which fosters public–private collaboration across the sector.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Throughout the weekend, McIlroy and other European players sparred with fans, provoking the Irish golfer in at least one instance to yell back at the crowd, while others flashed middle fingers in response to the jeers.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Yet, as many observers predicted, attempts to extend transatlantic cohesion through NATO expansion ultimately provoked a Russian reaction that a transatlantic relationship premised on economic cooperation might not have had.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
  • For the Reds, who have not participated in the postseason after a 162-game season since 2013, the postseason berth elicited joy.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • And, in a break with the past, the VDMA is now expressing support for erecting countervailing tariffs when foreign products are found to be made with the support of government subsidies.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The building, erected between 2005 and 2007, has drawn loiterers, break-ins, litter and other signs of vagrancy and neglect since CVS permanently closed the location in April 2022.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Elanco's move jumpstarts the OneHealth Innovation District, a partnership with Purdue to build an advanced science hub.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Switzerland, like Germany, built its 20th-century industrial economy on training and valuing all types of workers—those that work with their hands and those that work at a desk.
    — Peter Vanham, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Most pressing is inflation – but there’s also Japan’s demographic crisis, with a rapidly aging population, falling birthrate, shrinking workforce, and growing costs of elder care and welfare.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Short cruises, typically lasting less than a week, are growing in popularity for quick getaways.
    — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • That, alongside Newcastle’s desire to spread the fee over multiple years (whereas Como were going to pay in one lump sum), led to Milan increasing their asking price.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Milwaukee is not alone in seeking to implement or increase a wheel tax to raise local revenue.
    — Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
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 8 Oct. 2025.

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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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