raising
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for raising, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of bringing up and caring for a child.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The act of bringing up and caring for a child.
“Raising three kids on one income wasn't easy.”
2. noun
The act of lifting or setting something to a higher position, such as putting up the frame of a building.
“Neighbours came together for the barn raising.”
Opposites
How to use raising
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
child raising
fund raising
barn raising
Etymology
The "-ing" form of "raise", from Middle English reysynge.
Full origin of raising →Frequently asked questions
What does “raising” mean?
The word “raising” means the act of bringing up and caring for a child. In plain terms, the act of lifting something, bringing up a child, or gathering money or support.
How do you pronounce “raising”?
“Raising” is pronounced RAY-zihng (/ˈɹeɪzɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “raising” in a sentence?
Here is “raising” used in a sentence: “Raising three kids on one income wasn't easy.”
What part of speech is “raising”?
“Raising” is a noun.
Where does the word “raising” come from?
The word “raising” comes from Middle English. The "-ing" form of "raise", from Middle English reysynge.
Is “raising” a common word?
“Raising” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “raising” have?
“Raising” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of bringing up and caring for a child.
What is the difference between raising and rearing?
Both mean bringing up and caring for a child until maturity, and they overlap almost entirely. Raising is the everyday term, especially in American English. Rearing sounds more formal or old-fashioned, is common in British English, and applies readily to animals as well as children.
What does raising a child involve?
Raising a child covers meeting physical needs — food, shelter, safety — alongside emotional support, guidance, education, and discipline. It means nurturing a child's development over many years, teaching values and skills, and gradually preparing them for independent adult life. It is a long-term, hands-on responsibility.
Is raising only used for children?
As a noun for upbringing, raising centres on children, but the verb raise stretches much further — you can raise animals, crops, money, a question, or your hand. In the childcare sense, though, raising specifically means the nurturing and rearing of a young person over time.
Related words
Canadian raising
NEG-raising
barn raising
consciousness-raising
don't get above your raising
eyebrow-raising
fire-raising
fireraising
fund-raising
hair raising
hair-raising
negative raising
net-raising
raising agent
