Synonyms of elevate

elevate

verb

ˈe-lə-ˌvāt 

1

as in to excite

to fill with great joy

seeing their son ordained as a priest was one of the most elevating moments in their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excite
• elate
• intoxicate
• please
• delight
• stimulate
• uplift
• satisfy
• enrapture
• exhilarate
• inspire
• transport
• gratify
• content
• warm
• gladden
• commove
• rejoice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• depress
• discourage
• demoralize
• distress
• oppress
• dishearten
• dispirit
• sadden

2

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

• lift
• raise
• uplift
• heighten
• hoist
• uphold
• boost
• heave
• take up
• up
• hike
• crane
• ascend
• rise
• jack (up)
• heft
• perk (up)
• pick up
• mount
• upraise
• upend
• rear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lower
• drop
• fall
• descend
• push
• slip
• dip
• plunge
• depress
• bear
• press
• pitch
• sink
• submerge

3

as in to promote

to move higher in rank or position

the announcement that the pope will elevate several prelates to the rank of cardinal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promote
• upgrade
• raise
• advance
• improve
• heighten
• forward
• further
• uplift
• lift
• kick upstairs
• ennoble
• aggrandize
• boost
• exalt
• honor
• decorate
• commend
• celebrate
• compliment
• congratulate
• applaud
• knight
• cite
• glorify
• extol
• salute
• eulogize
• praise
• commission
• laud
• acclaim
• hail
• extoll

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• degrade
• lower
• remove
• downgrade
• dismiss
• overthrow
• unseat
• impeach
• expel
• oust
• demote
• depose
• humble
• demean
• humiliate
• abase
• dethrone
• shame
• dishonor
• disgrace
• take down
• unmake
• denounce
• condemn
• mortify
• damn
• censure
• reprobate

4

as in to exalt

to assign a high status or value to

a decade in which greed and selfishness were elevated to the rank of virtues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promote
• lift
• exalt
• ennoble
• raise
• enshrine
• upgrade
• aggrandize
• dignify
• enthrone
• heighten
• magnify
• boost
• glorify
• honor
• uplift
• canonize
• deify
• praise
• intensify
• ensky
• romanticize
• idealize
• sanitize
• sugarcoat
• extol
• extoll
• laud
• acclaim

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• degrade
• humiliate
• demean
• minimize
• detract
• disparage
• belittle
• abase
• depreciate
• decry

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

Recent Examples of elevate

The gold and bronze of her separates also feel adjacent to her signature colors, strongly elevating her aesthetic rather than abandoning it. —Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025

Another benefit is that a mix of vintage pieces, textures, and splurge items elevates the affordable, mass-market items in your home. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025

That’s why human-centric security must be elevated to the level of enterprise risk management. —Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

And the increasingly international cast of the Academy voters has elevated foreign-language films that gain a profile at Cannes. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 13 May 2025