RAISE Synonyms: 510 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz

Definition of raise next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to elicit

to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to build

to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to increase

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to promote

to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to express

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

So much for the complaints raised last summer about the PWHL’s expansion process favoring the league’s newest franchises in Seattle and Vancouver. —

John Wawrow, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026 The debt sale comes a day after Meta posted better-than-expected revenue for the first quarter and raised projected 2026 capital expenditures to $125 billion to $145 billion. —

Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

Noun

The teachers aren’t asking for a pay raise — but their high-cost benefits are tantamount to a big pay cut. —

Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 Having the full Bird rights also gives Charlotte the ability to offer the maximum salary possible with the most number of years — five — with 8% annual raises. —

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise

Verb

Spurs’ back-to-back wins have lifted them out of the relegation zone and their remaining fixtures are hugely important.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
And dirt is moving on the site of a future 148,000-square-foot Target, where developers and city and county officials lifted their shovels Tuesday.

— Rose Evans Updated May 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026

Definition of lift

Browse Nearby Words

rainy day

raise

raise Cain

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of raise

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Ups and Downs of 'Raise' and 'Raze'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on raise

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wistful

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Was 'nervous Nellie' a real person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of raise

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing raise

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to raise

The Ups and Downs of 'Raise' and 'Raze'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on raise

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wistful

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Was 'nervous Nellie' a real person?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Games & Quizzes