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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
6
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

8
9
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

11

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

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
As the mighty Permian basin, in West Texas, has taught us, tapping enormous quantities of freshwater from aquifers to use for fracking has raised concerns. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The Met Gala is an exclusive annual fundraiser that raises money for the Anna Wintour Costume Center at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
Unlike previous extensions, the deal would not include across-the-board pay raises. Haley Parsley august 11, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 New details of how ChatGPT maker OpenAI failed to notice that its models had launched a hacking spree raise questions about the industry’s approach to safety. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
Verb
  • Wednesday’s game pits French champions and Champions League winners PSG against Premier League side Villa, who lifted the Europa League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Freiburg.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • He was then lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the seventh.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • She is additionally charged with stewarding the museum’s holding of paintings and drawings, including the Fisher Collection, and will work to foster the museum’s audience and community engagement.
    News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
  • She and her husband have also been criticized for fostering a hostile work environment.
    Lucas Shaw, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.
    Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The sources added that the relationship breakdown also provoked serious concerns about the wellbeing of the senior colleague.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Shea Whigham provides exceptional levels of Shea Whigham-ness as a friendly federal agent (and ex-client) whose health issues elicit deeper conversations than their professional obligations require.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Over the ensuing decade, the plans continued to elicit debate and controversy, pitting supporters of the commission’s vision against members of Congress, railroad interests and real estate developers.
    Jennifer Tucker, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This was before their dominance era, so the old noisy neighbours wanted to make a big song and dance out of the deal and erected a huge ‘Welcome to Manchester’ billboard to reflect what would soon be a changing of the guard in the city.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Though the current main building was erected in 1902, part of the Old City Hall, which dates to 1845, was incorporated into it.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Deep in the cornfields of northeast Iowa, a cacophony of voices loudly whispered to build a permanent baseball stadium.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The city of Chicago recently pursued a worthy effort to build affordable apartments on the West Side.
    Harold Pollack, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The population of Quincy, a red dot in deep blue Washington, has grown as agriculture and food processing expanded.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Texas is entering a new era of education this school year with the launch of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), and some private schools in North Texas are already rapidly growing at an unprecedented pace.
    Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The kingdom has faced increasing attacks from the Houthis, who also declared a blockade on the al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea on July 20.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nor would increased options out wide and a central defender, The Athletic revealing earlier this week that a couple of bids have been rejected for Norway international centre-back Henrik Falchener, 23, from that country’s Viking Stavanger.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!