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as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position the old trick of using a fat phone book to elevate a child to a more comfortable position at the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb elevate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of elevate are boost, heave, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When could boost be used to replace elevate?

The words boost and elevate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

In what contexts can heave take the place of elevate?

Although the words heave and elevate have much in common, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When is hoist a more appropriate choice than elevate?

In some situations, the words hoist and elevate are roughly equivalent. However, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When can lift be used instead of elevate?

The words lift and elevate can be used in similar contexts, but lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

Where would raise be a reasonable alternative to elevate?

While the synonyms raise and elevate are close in meaning, raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How are the words rear and raise related as synonyms of elevate?

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 elevate The mise-en-scène elevates Chongqing to the role of a character in its own right, bringing both literal and figurative color to the story. Beandrea July, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025 An equally classic polo silhouette for layering up in winter or elevating a spring office look. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2025 Enjoy elevated takes on classic South Carolina cooking at Linnette's. Grab a cocktail and light bites on the porch of the Willett Room at sunset. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025 In October, with three more of her novels now available in English and at least 20 other languages, the Swedish Academy awarded Han the Nobel Prize, elevating her to the empyrean realm reserved for writers of what is sometimes called world literature. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for elevate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevate
Verb
  • What excited you about being part of this iconic network's legacy?
    H. Alan Scott, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Autonomy in movement excites me - terrestrial, underwater, airspace and outer space.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The chassis lifts to get over even high doorway dividers, the mops automatically lift when the 10R senses carpet or rugs, and the brushes lift when in mop-only modes or cleaning high-pile carpeting.
    Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Each of the women stood in their living rooms, bent down and easily lifted up loose floorboards.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s order also rescinded policies that required federal contractors to promote affirmative action and diversity programs—his actions are in line with promises listed in his Agenda 47 platform outlined during his campaign.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Spaniard gave him his Premier League debut against Bournemouth in mid-December and promoted him into the first-team set-up.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While its fashion is increasingly more in tune with customers’ demand for clothing apt for outdoorsy experiences, the brand’s sustainability credentials and link with the sea are being exalted via lifestyle-leaning activations and communication initiatives.
    Martino Carrera, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Its rooftop restaurant is a romantic setting for a gourmet dinner that exalts local ingredients.
    Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The play ignited the crowd and elated his coach, who ran over and embraced Aidan Mahaney at the scorer’s table.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025
  • But hearing those very industrial and harsh sounds for the first time was such an elating feeling.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.
    Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Trump in the campaign repeatedly raised the issue of crimes committed by migrants, but there is no evidence that immigrants are more prone to violent crime.
    Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • If the hardware’s hardly changing, and the software’s coming to your phone anyway, what’s the incentive to upgrade?
    Dominic Preston, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025
  • One of the concerns of those opposed to the deal is that allowing the Dominican softball team to use the field, which would be upgraded to synthetic turf, would limit access to the field by River Forest Little League softball and baseball teams and cause scheduling issues.
    Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The murder of six million Jews—and the question of whether the British authorities could have done more to save them—complicates an otherwise ennobling story of the country’s heroic stand against Nazism, its finest hour.
    Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025
  • These days, college football can look more like the vast military industrial complex than any ennobling pursuit.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near elevate

Cite this Entry

“Elevate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elevate. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on elevate

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