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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

Examples 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 After his third year, he was given a contract extension and elevated to a more prominent role, then led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2018. Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025 Temporary leaders elevated after the start of a term can remain in their role for 210 days, but that cap can be extended if a nomination is pending in the Senate. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024 Top officials led by President Xi Jinping earlier this month elevated boosting consumption and domestic demand the top priority for economic work next year, only the second time in at least a decade. Dave Smith, Fortune Asia, 31 Dec. 2024 The secluded pavilions, elevated to create vistas, have their own private gardens of sweet-scented roses, geraniums, and lavender, and colorful bougainvillea; pergolas topped with twisting honeysuckle; and roof terraces. Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elevate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elevate
Verb
  • This month is about rediscovering your heart’s desires and what truly excites you in love.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Was the real-time format baked in from the get-go, and was that part of what excited you about a return to the genre? That calls into question all the various chronologies of this and all the different sort of iterations.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The evacuation orders had been lifted and the fire, which began in West Hills, was 35 percent contained as of Friday afternoon.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Evacuation warnings that were issued for an area bordered by Ingomar and Saticoy Streets south to Burbank Boulevard, from Valley Circle Boulevard east to Woodlake Avenue, have been lifted.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • It was later broadened with press junkets with French talent promoting their work, and was further expanded two years ago with French TV screenings and a day-long confab dedicated to export.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
  • False claims promoted by President-elect Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform sought to blame the Democratic Party for the wildfires.
    Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Venus in Pisces — responding to Taurus, ruled by Venus — brings romance and dream-like qualities, considering the love planet also exalts here, which is equivalent to saying that themes of love and romance are sensual, empathic and deeply spiritual.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Additionally, Venus exalted in Pisces will tempt us into pleasure-seeking mode, even if Saturn is there to deny or restrain the ideal version of the good time Venus is seeking.
    Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But hearing those very industrial and harsh sounds for the first time was such an elating feeling.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
  • All those probed were in unanimous agreement, and the 21-year-old might agree himself alongside others that have been elated by his start to the 2024/2025 season.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Already, at least one biotech startup, Matter Bio in New York City, has raised funds with the aim of repairing the human genome.
    Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Gwendoline’s questions about the outside raise a few important reminders about the Innies.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Swapping a great young pitcher for a great young hitter would upgrade both systems.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Once the Panthers upgrade their defense, the offensive line is largely set.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 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 21 Jan. 2025.

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