raise 1 of 2

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

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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

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
Unlike chatbots that simply respond to prompts, AI agents can take proactive actions, which often require broader access to data and systems, raising privacy and security concerns. Evelyn Cheng,dylan Butts, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026 Born and raised in Mérida, Yucatán, she is driven by a desire to give this region of Mexico a stronger voice. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Its latest debt raise included a $5 billion convertible preferred offering and roughly $25 billion in senior notes at different maturities, according to a credit investor who spoke to CNBC. Seema Mody, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026 But the Council walked that back, putting off any vote until 2026 because of to a City Charter restriction prohibiting the body from pushing through raises in the lame duck period of an election year. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • The war in Iran is lifting the fortunes of oil producers in Latin America who aren’t vulnerable to the Strait of Hormuz closure.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The addition of Crosby was supposed to be the piece to help lift the Ravens over the top, with the draft picks expected to be part of a rebuilding effort for the Raiders.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Connecting generations experiencing loneliness The project is run by Matter Neuroscience, which says the goal is to foster connection between generations that most often experience loneliness.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But there are dozens of fine dining restaurants that have earned the highest culinary accolades, while fostering safe, equitable and supportive environments.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
  • What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Conrad is full of wordy comic dialogue that often sings in its idiosyncrasy but also elicits little more than a chuckle.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The question was asked of Chadim in a rapid fire manner, designed to elicit an instinctually honest reply.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The group is also said to be digging tunnels, building bunkers, and erecting barriers and other defensive structures in case of an attack by the United States and Israel.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In 2014, Bolsonaro, then just a congressman, spit on a bust of Paiva erected to honor his memory during the coup’s 50th anniversary in Congress.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When it was built, the mall was part of a trend among commercial builders to create mini downtowns for cities that lacked them.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Delicious food all around, but perhaps not coherent enough to build a nation on.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Finding the right adviser could make finances grow.
    Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Polish patiently, so steady practice grows your confidence.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s increasing willingness to use overwhelming military force to pursue American interests abroad throws that calculus into question.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 Mar. 2026
  • City records from November show police planned to install six more cameras and increase lighting.
    Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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