raise
25 synonyms and 0 antonyms for raise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move or lift something to a higher position.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use raise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Norse reisa, "to erect" or "cause to rise" — the causative partner of the verb "rise".
Full origin of raise →Frequently asked questions
What does “raise” mean?
The word “raise” means to move or lift something to a higher position. In plain terms, to lift something up, increase it, bring up a topic, or bring up children — and, as a noun, a pay increase.
How do you pronounce “raise”?
“Raise” is pronounced rayz (/ɹeɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “raise” in a sentence?
Here is “raise” used in a sentence: “Please raise your hand if you have a question.”
What part of speech is “raise”?
Depending on how it is used, “raise” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “raise” come from?
The word “raise” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse reisa, "to erect" or "cause to rise" — the causative partner of the verb "rise".
Is “raise” a common word?
“Raise” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “raise” have?
“Raise” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move or lift something to a higher position.
What is the difference between 'raise' and 'rise'?
'Raise' needs an object — you raise something: 'raise your hand,' 'raise the flag.' 'Rise' has no object — something rises by itself: 'the sun rises,' 'prices rise.' In short, you raise a thing, but a thing rises on its own. Raise is transitive; rise is intransitive.
What is the difference between 'raise' and 'raze'?
Though they sound alike, they are near opposites. 'Raise' means to lift something up or build it higher. 'Raze' means to tear a building or structure completely down to the ground. So you might raise a house by constructing it, then later raze it during demolition.
What are the different meanings of 'raise'?
Beyond lifting something physically, 'raise' has many senses: to increase an amount ('raise prices'), to bring up a child ('raise a family'), to mention a topic ('raise a question'), to collect money ('raise funds'), and to grow crops or animals. Context tells you which meaning applies.
Does 'raise' mean a pay increase?
As a noun, 'raise' commonly means an increase in salary, especially in American English ('she got a raise'). British English often uses 'rise' for this ('a pay rise'). As a verb, raising pay simply means increasing it. The lifting sense and the salary sense share the idea of moving something higher.