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
Growing up in the Keys instilled a certain wildness in me that can only come from a childhood of being raised on island time. —Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 The first sign of trouble for the 11-time Grand Slam singles champion came in September 2023 when testing raised concerns. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
In anticipation of the hit to international enrollment, Central Missouri cut a cost-of-living raise for employees. —Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025 Without a new budget, the state continues to operate based on the one from the previous year until a new one is passed, meaning teachers and other state workers will not get raises until then. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 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
  • The lockdown was later lifted, but the university said access to campus would remain restricted to students, faculty, and staff with a valid school ID as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies continued to investigate the threat.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This process lifts stains without increasing their surface area, which can be an issue when scrubbing by hand with a cloth or brush.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Those included defending Novo's leadership in diabetes and obesity treatment, fostering a high performance culture and realigning the company's cost base and driving efficiencies.
    — Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The husband and wife team at the helm aims to foster joy, drawing inspiration from their experiences in Korea and Florida.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Every action provokes a reaction.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Their works laid the foundation for a genre that continues to evolve, provoke, and inspire.
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • While people have different definitions for luxury, the word typically elicits extravagance, grandeur, and exclusivity.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • These will only elicit your threat response!
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • These scaffolds are erected on skyscrapers, hundreds of feet high, and encased in fabric safety nets forming colorful cocoons of green, blue and purple.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The monumental, symmetrical building had a grandiose entrance mimicking the front of the Greek temple, and the glass and iron dome at the structure’s center was erected using the latest construction techniques.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • The 35-year-old founder has built a remarkably high-earning captive agency, all while staying within the corporate framework that others rush to leave.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But his focus, as ever, was on building a movement that could endure for years to come.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • Their curiosity grew after the highest DNA match was found linked to a family line in Romania.
    — Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • American craft beer, for example, has grown over the last 30 years to take nearly 15% of US beer sales by volume.
    — Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Federal Supplement Security Income payments would increase for January but those payments would be made at the end of December.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But there is really no reason why this should be the case for Pilates—which consists of different low-impact movements to strengthen your core muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your posture and give you more awareness of your body in general.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 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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