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Some common synonyms of raise<\/em> are boost<\/em><\/a>, elevate<\/em><\/a>, heave<\/em><\/a>, hoist<\/em><\/a>, lift<\/em><\/a>, and rear<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to move from a lower to a higher place or position,\" raise<\/em> carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.<\/p>

\/\/ scouts raising<\/em> a flagpole<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'boost' take the place of 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms boost<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but boost<\/em> suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.<\/p>

\/\/ boosted<\/em> his brother over the fence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'elevate' relate to other synonyms for 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Elevate<\/em><\/a> may replace lift<\/em><\/a> or raise<\/em> especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.<\/p>

\/\/ elevated<\/em> the taste of the public<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'heave' be a better fit than 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words heave<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, heave<\/em> implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.<\/p>

\/\/ heaved<\/em> the heavy crate inside<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'hoist' be used to replace 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words hoist<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but hoist<\/em> implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.<\/p>

\/\/ hoisted<\/em> the cargo on board<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'lift' instead of 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words lift<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> have much in common, lift<\/em> usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.<\/p>

\/\/ lift<\/em> the chair while I vacuum<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'rear' and 'raise' relate to one another?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Rear<\/em><\/a> may add an element of suddenness to raise<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ suddenly reared<\/em> itself up on its hind legs<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the verb 'raise' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of raise<\/em> are boost<\/em><\/a>, elevate<\/em><\/a>, heave<\/em><\/a>, hoist<\/em><\/a>, lift<\/em><\/a>, and rear<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to move from a lower to a higher place or position,\" raise<\/em> carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.<\/p>

\/\/ scouts raising<\/em> a flagpole<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'boost' take the place of 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms boost<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but boost<\/em> suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.<\/p>

\/\/ boosted<\/em> his brother over the fence<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the word 'elevate' relate to other synonyms for 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Elevate<\/em><\/a> may replace lift<\/em><\/a> or raise<\/em> especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.<\/p>

\/\/ elevated<\/em> the taste of the public<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'heave' be a better fit than 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words heave<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, heave<\/em> implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.<\/p>

\/\/ heaved<\/em> the heavy crate inside<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'hoist' be used to replace 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words hoist<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but hoist<\/em> implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.<\/p>

\/\/ hoisted<\/em> the cargo on board<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'lift' instead of 'raise'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words lift<\/em><\/a> and raise<\/em> have much in common, lift<\/em> usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.<\/p>

\/\/ lift<\/em> the chair while I vacuum<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'rear' and 'raise' relate to one another?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Rear<\/em><\/a> may add an element of suddenness to raise<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ suddenly reared<\/em> itself up on its hind legs<\/p>" } } ] }

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
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
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
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
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
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

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
Some have tried to shift the conversation to unrelated national political grievances or to accuse anyone raising these issues of bad motives. —Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Postal Service debates raising prices of stamps Steiner told lawmakers March 17 that the price of a first‑class stamp could increase by 12 to 17 cents, possibly raising the cost from 78 cents to 90 to 95 cents a stamp. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The measure halting the gradual raises approved by the City Council in 2023 passed in a 30-to-18 vote, leaving its supporters four aldermen short of the supermajority needed to overturn a Johnson veto. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 Her partner put in a job transfer request to Maine, which came with a substantial pay raise. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 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 storm lifted the roof of a boathouse and damaged a dock, garage, and fence.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Major oil exporters outside of the Middle East have been lifted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with some looking to position themselves as reliable suppliers in a world desperate for energy.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Gilman says the city must now make these painful cuts to live within its means, but can't cut its way to financial health, needing to grow new revenue with the help of foundations and nonprofits and fostering new development and new business.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The all-inclusive Amazing Family Program fosters bonding through activities like yoga, treasure hunts, and family story time.
    — Sheryl Nance Nash, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of foster
Verb
  • The previous supreme leader made the mistake of enriching uranium but never building a nuclear weapon; in effect, his nuclear program went far enough to provoke the West into sanctions and military strikes but not far enough to provide protection.
    — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • At the end of his cross-examination, Shohat asked Rubio to sign his copy of the former senator’s book, which elicited laughter in the packed courtroom.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Rather, Olen cracked dad jokes that elicited eye rolls from the kids.
    — David Gleisner, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • Christopher Wells became active in a neighborhood movement to convince Kansas City to erect no parking signs along one side of Northeast 78th Street, preventing the choke point.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Foundations and slab work are complete, structural steel is being erected and roofing is underway.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of erect
Verb
  • Duren had 13 points and seven rebounds in the quarter to help the Pistons build a 65-56 halftime lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • None appeared in building directories.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of build
Verb
  • Invite a calm talk about time commitments, because fairness grows when expectations are measurable and both sides understand what happens if plans change.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
  • When looking at the largest metro areas, the fastest growing counties tended to be on the outer edges.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of grow
Verb
  • Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
  • As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
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 27 Mar. 2026.

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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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