raised; raising
1
: to cause or help to rise to a standing position
2
3
a
: to set upright by lifting or building
raise a monument
b
: to lift up
raise your hand
raise sunken treasure
c
: to place higher in rank or dignity : elevate
d
: heighten, invigorate
raise the spirits
e
: to end or suspend the operation or validity of
raise a siege
4
: to get together for a purpose : collect
raise funds
5
6
a
: to give rise to : provoke
raise a commotion
b
: to give voice to
raise a cheer
7
: to bring up for consideration or debate
raise an issue
8
a
: to increase the strength, intensity, or pitch of
don't raise your voice
b
: to increase the degree of
c
: to cause to rise in level or amount
raise the rent
d(1)
: to increase the amount of (a poker bet)
(2)
: to bet more than (a previous bettor)
e(1)
: to make a higher bridge bid in (a partner's suit)
(2)
: to increase the bid of (one's partner)
9
: to make light and porous
raise dough
10
: to cause to ascend
raise the dust
11
: to multiply (a quantity) by itself a specified number of times
raise two to the fourth power
12
: to bring in sight on the horizon by approaching
raise land
13
a
: to bring up the nap of (cloth)
b
: to cause (something, such as a blister) to form on the skin
14
: to increase the nominal value of fraudulently
raise a check
15
: to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position
16
: to establish radio communication with
raiser
noun
1
: an act of raising or lifting
2
: a rising stretch of road : an upward grade : rise
3
: an increase in amount: such as
a
: an increase of a bet or bid
b
: an increase in wages or salary
4
: a vertical or inclined opening or passageway connecting one mine working area with another at a higher level
Synonyms
Examples of raise in a Sentence
Verb
Raise your hand if you know the answer.
Raise your arms above your head.
He raised his head and looked around.
She raised her eyes from her book and stared at him.
He raised the cup to his lips and drank.
I raised the lid and peeked inside.
Let's raise the windows and get some fresh air in here.
We raised the flag to the top of the pole.
I carefully raised her to a sitting position.
She raised herself onto her knees.
Noun
the school board approved a raise in the maximum family income for students qualifying for reduced-price lunches
Recent Examples on the Web
Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Hagerty appears committed to raising its profile with the general public as well as well-heeled car collectors who travel the country to exhibit vehicles and compete for trophies.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
The campaign raised nearly $1.5 million from 900 donors, which Northland officials called a record.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
California raised its minimum wage for fast food workers to how much?
4.
—CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Hackman Capital’s proposal calls for raising the number of Television City stages to at least 15, from 8, along with production support facilities.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
To date, Aiden, has raised more than $600,000 for Norton Children's Hospital, Gena said.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
Hear why advocates are hoping more states raise the marrying age to 18.
—Mansee Khurana, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Like the English primatologist Jane Goodall, he’s globally admired for raising awareness about biodiversity loss, climate change and other threats.
—Graeme Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Those costs include: inflationary raises for staff, filling vacant positions and retaining staff who were funded by sunsetting pandemic-relief aid.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
The cast would also could get raises by a third season.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The current minimum wage in California, regardless of industry, is $16 an hour, meaning many cashiers, line and prep cooks, counter attendants and baristas will see as much as a 25% raise overnight.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The bottom line: Jumping from job to job is the best way to ensure steady raises.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
The General Assembly also extended the digital sales tax to software purchased by businesses — not just consumers, as the governor had wanted — and applied the revenue to raises for teachers and state employees, K-12 schools and higher education, and government services.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
One taxpayer group wants input on any possible measure
Oct. 22, 2023
Other critics said strong support for the sales tax measure from city labor unions should make voters concerned that much of the money would be spent on employee pay raises, not infrastructure projects and road paving.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Research has consistently shown that face time with management can increase your odds of winning their affection and therefore scoring a promotion or a raise.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The event raised a record-setting $26 million-plus for Biden’s reelection campaign.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Hagerty appears committed to raising its profile with the general public as well as well-heeled car collectors who travel the country to exhibit vehicles and compete for trophies.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
The campaign raised nearly $1.5 million from 900 donors, which Northland officials called a record.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
California raised its minimum wage for fast food workers to how much?
4.
—CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Hackman Capital’s proposal calls for raising the number of Television City stages to at least 15, from 8, along with production support facilities.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
To date, Aiden, has raised more than $600,000 for Norton Children's Hospital, Gena said.
—Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
Hear why advocates are hoping more states raise the marrying age to 18.
—Mansee Khurana, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Like the English primatologist Jane Goodall, he’s globally admired for raising awareness about biodiversity loss, climate change and other threats.
—Graeme Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
In 2022, the WNBA raised $75 million, its largest-ever capital raise, to support marketing and growth efforts.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Those costs include: inflationary raises for staff, filling vacant positions and retaining staff who were funded by sunsetting pandemic-relief aid.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
The cast would also could get raises by a third season.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024
The current minimum wage in California, regardless of industry, is $16 an hour, meaning many cashiers, line and prep cooks, counter attendants and baristas will see as much as a 25% raise overnight.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
The bottom line: Jumping from job to job is the best way to ensure steady raises.
—Jane Thier, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
The General Assembly also extended the digital sales tax to software purchased by businesses — not just consumers, as the governor had wanted — and applied the revenue to raises for teachers and state employees, K-12 schools and higher education, and government services.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
One taxpayer group wants input on any possible measure
Oct. 22, 2023
Other critics said strong support for the sales tax measure from city labor unions should make voters concerned that much of the money would be spent on employee pay raises, not infrastructure projects and road paving.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Research has consistently shown that face time with management can increase your odds of winning their affection and therefore scoring a promotion or a raise.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of raise was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing raise
Articles Related to raise
Dictionary Entries Near raise
Cite this Entry
“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raise. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
raise
1 of 2 verb
raised; raising
1
: to cause to rise
raise a window
raise dust
2
a
: awake entry 1, arouse
enough noise to raise the dead
b
: to recall from or as if from death
c
: to stir up : incite
raise a rebellion
3
a
: to set upright by lifting or building
raise a monument
b
: to lift up
raise your hand
c
: to place higher especially in rank : promote
was raised to captain
d
: heighten sense 1, invigorate
raise the spirits
4
: collect entry 2 sense 1b
raise funds
5
a
: to look after the growth and development of : grow
raise hogs
raise corn
b
: bring up sense 1, rear sense 3b
raise a child
was raised in the city
6
: bring about
raised a laugh
7
: to bring to notice
raise an issue
8
a
: to increase the strength of
don't raise your voice
b
: to increase the amount of
raise the rent
c
: to increase a bid or bet
9
: to make light and airy
raise dough
10
: to multiply a quantity by itself a specified number of times
raise two to the fourth power
11
: to bring into sight on the horizon by approaching
raised land at last
12
: to cause to form on the skin
raise a blister
raiser
noun
raise
2 of 2 noun1
: an increase in the amount of a bet or bid
2
: an increase in pay
More from Merriam-Webster on raise
Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of raise for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise
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