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
The lineup was personally curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay to benefit FIFA Global Citizen’s Education Fund, which launched in April with a mission to raise $100 million for children’s education and soccer programs all over the world. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 June 2025 The sudden engagement, with the wedding set to occur in just two weeks, raises suspicions among Tiffany’s parents, Brian (also portrayed by Perry) and his ex-wife Debrah (Taja V. Simpson). —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Noun
In addition to Ekblad, center Sam Bennett is also a pending free agent and will be due a hefty pay raise from his current deal that is paying him an average of $4.425 million per season. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025 The raises are cost-of-living adjustments included in state law, though past legislatures have voted to freeze their own pay — a move that has drawn legal challenges. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 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
  • Filler can’t lift sagging skin or reposition deeper tissue; a facelift is a literal lifting, cutting, and repositioning.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 16 June 2025
  • Hundreds of people showed up to the opening, which was the day after Portland lifted its indoor mask mandate, and in the middle of the N.C.A.A. tournament.
    — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Moreover, narcissistic parents often foster competition and sibling rivalry, or even compete with their children’s romantic partners.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • The Trump administration’s attacks on historic policies fostering diversity, equity and inclusion have many people on edge.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Couple that with an alarming increase in misogyny in both politics and the culture at large, and women in the public eye are at constant risk of accidentally provoking these types of hate campaigns.
    — Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 June 2025
  • The 1925 offside rule, therefore, initially created incredibly attack-minded football, and then provoked considerably more cautious football.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 June 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • This is not something meant to elicit praise, surprise, disgust or a call from my gastroenterologist.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • That assessment is likely to elicit wide eyes and snarky responses across college football, but her case comes with an important caveat.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 5 June 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Cardew, who was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s prestigious Gold Medal in 2012, designed the house in 1980, two years after his post-modern complex 1500 West Georgia in Vancouver was erected and six years before his steel framework design at CN Pavilion was completed.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 11 June 2025
  • Everyone sat still, watching the barren landscape outside the window strewn with orange flames leaping from the scaffoldings erected over the oil wells.
    — Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Former combatants in Colombia’s long-standing internal conflict are increasingly being lured to Mexico by criminal groups to train hitmen, build bombs and fight bloody turf battles.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Being transparent in this way helps build trust and demonstrates a genuine dedication to improvement.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • In the decades since, PEOPLE has grown to become the iconic brand it is known as today — expanding from a newsstand-only publication to now include digital news coverage and social media coverage, as well as a new app, among other ventures.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 June 2025
  • In addition, administrative staff positions at most universities and colleges has grown faster than faculty.
    — Paul Weinstein Jr, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Whether that caution slows adoption or increases security maturity remains to be seen, but the message is unambiguous: the era of unchecked AI optimism in federal cybersecurity is over.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 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 20 Jun. 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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