Increase vs. Raise — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Increase" is used to describe a growth or rise in quantity, size, or degree, while "raise" specifically refers to an action that causes something to grow or ascend.
Difference Between Increase and Raise
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Key Differences
Increase can occur as a natural process, a result of external factors, or through deliberate action. It applies broadly across contexts, from physical dimensions and quantities to abstract concepts like prices or temperatures. For example, an increase in temperature or an increase in sales. Raise, on the other hand, implies an intentional action taken to elevate or boost something, often involving physical lifting or metaphorically enhancing a value or level. For instance, raising a flag or raising awareness.
The usage context often dictates the choice between these terms. "Increase" is more neutral and can be used in both active and passive constructions. "Raise" typically requires an agent performing the action, making it more active. For example, one might say, "The company plans to increase salaries next year," or "The company plans to raise salaries next year." The former could imply a natural progression, while the latter clearly indicates a deliberate action by the company.
In terms of connotation, "increase" is often used in a more objective, descriptive manner, while "raise" can carry implications of effort or advocacy, especially in social or economic contexts. For instance, a charity might work to raise funds, suggesting a concerted effort, while an economist might note an increase in inflation as a matter of observation.
The grammatical roles these words can play also differ. "Increase" can function as both a noun and a verb, allowing it to describe the act or process of growing as well as the result of such growth. "Raise" is primarily used as a verb in the context of lifting or elevating but can also be a noun in specific contexts, such as in poker or in reference to a salary increase.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A growth or rise in quantity, size, or degree
An action that causes something to grow or ascend
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Usage Context
Broadly across physical, quantitative, and abstract contexts
Often implies an intentional effort or action
Grammatical Role
Can be a noun or verb
Primarily a verb, occasionally a noun (e.g., in poker)
Connotation
Neutral, objective
Can imply effort, advocacy, or intention
Examples
Increase in temperature, sales increase
Raise a flag, raise awareness, salary raise
Compare with Definitions
Increase
To become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.
The population has increased significantly over the last decade.
Raise
An upward movement or growth.
The fundraiser resulted in a significant raise in funds.
Increase
An act of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important.
The increase in demand led to a rise in prices.
Raise
To lift or move to a higher position or level.
She raised the window to get some fresh air.
Increase
The amount by which something grows or rises.
A slight increase in temperature is expected tomorrow.
Raise
To bring up for consideration or discussion.
He raised an important point during the meeting.
Increase
The process by which something expands or gains in value.
There has been an increase in interest in renewable energy sources.
Raise
To increase the amount, level, or strength of something.
The company decided to raise salaries by 5%.
Increase
To make greater in size, amount, degree.
The manufacturer increased the price of the product.
Raise
To cause to arise, appear, or exist.
The documentary raised awareness about climate change.
Increase
To become greater or larger.
Raise
To move to a higher position; elevate
Raised the loads with a crane.
Increase
To multiply; reproduce.
Raise
To set in an upright or erect position
Raise a flagpole.
Increase
To make greater or larger.
Raise
To erect or build
Raise a new building.
Increase
The act of increasing
A steady increase in temperature.
Raise
To cause to arise, appear, or exist
The slap raised a welt.
Increase
The amount or rate by which something is increased
A tax increase of 15 percent.
Raise
To increase in size, quantity, or worth
Raise an employee's salary.
Increase
(Obsolete) Reproduction and spread; propagation.
Raise
To increase in intensity, degree, strength, or pitch
Raised his voice.
Increase
(intransitive) (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
His rage only increased when I told him of the lost money.
Raise
To improve in rank or dignity; promote
Raised her to management level.
Increase
(transitive) To make (a quantity, etc.) larger.
Raise
To grow, especially in quantity; cultivate
Raise corn and soybeans.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Raise
To breed and care for to maturity
Raise cattle.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
The Moon increases.
Raise
To bring up; rear
Raise children.
Increase
An amount by which a quantity is increased.
Raise
To accustom to something from an early age
"a post-World War II generation raised on shopping malls and multiplex cinemas" (Gustav Niebuhr).
Increase
For a quantity, the act or process of becoming larger
Raise
To put forward for consideration
Raised an important question. See Synonyms at broach1.
Increase
Offspring, progeny
Raise
To voice; utter
Raise a shout.
Increase
(knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see Increase (knitting).
Raise
To awaken; arouse
Noise that would raise the dead.
Increase
To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; - opposed to decrease.
The waters increased and bare up the ark.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The heavens forbidBut that our loves and comforts should increase,Even as our days do grow!
Raise
To stir up; instigate
Raise a revolt.
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn.
Raise
To bring about; provoke
Remarks intended to raise a laugh.
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
Raise
To make contact with by radio
Couldn't raise the control tower after midnight.
Increase
To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.
I will increase the famine.
Make denialsIncrease your services.
Raise
To gather together; collect
Raise money from the neighbors for a charity.
Increase
Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.
For things of tender kind for pleasure madeShoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd.
Raise
To cause (dough) to puff up.
Increase
That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.
Take thou no usury of him, or increase.
Let them not live to taste this land's increase.
Raise
To end (a siege) by withdrawing troops or forcing the enemy troops to withdraw.
Increase
Progeny; issue; offspring.
All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
Raise
To remove or withdraw (an order).
Increase
Generation.
Raise
To increase (a poker bet).
Increase
The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; - said of the moon.
Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon.
Raise
To bet more than (a preceding bettor in poker).
Increase
A quantity that is added;
There was an addition to property taxes this year
They recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
Raise
To increase the bid of (one's bridge partner).
Increase
A change resulting in an increase;
The increase is scheduled for next month
Raise
(Nautical) To bring into sight by approaching nearer
Raised the Cape.
Increase
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Raise
To alter and increase fraudulently the written value of (a check, for example).
Increase
The amount by which something increases;
They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
Raise
To cough up (phlegm).
Increase
The act of increasing something;
He gave me an increase in salary
Raise
(Scots) To make angry; enrage.
Increase
Become bigger or greater in amount;
The amount of work increased
Raise
To increase a poker bet or a bridge bid.
Increase
Make bigger or more;
The boss finally increased her salary
The university increased the number of students it admitted
Raise
The act of raising or increasing.
Raise
An increase in salary.
Raise
(physical) To cause to rise; to lift or elevate.
To raise your hand if you want to say something; to raise your walking stick to defend yourself
Raise
To form by the accumulation of materials or constituent parts; to build up; to erect.
To raise a wall, or a heap of stones
Raise
To cause something to come to the surface of water.
The ship was raised ten years after it had sunk.
Raise
(nautical) To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it.
To raise Sandy Hook light
Raise
To make (bread, etc.) light, as by yeast or leaven.
Raise
(figurative) To cause (a dead person) to live again; to resurrect.
The magic spell raised the dead from their graves!
Raise
(military) To remove or break up (a blockade), either by withdrawing the ships or forces employed in enforcing it, or by driving them away or dispersing them.
Raise
To relinquish (a siege), or cause this to be done.
Raise
(transitive) To create, increase or develop.
We need to raise the motivation level in the company.
To raise the quality of the products; to raise the price of goods; to raise (increase) taxes
Raise
To collect or amass.
To raise a lot of money for charity; to raise troops
Raise
(obsolete) To call up the forces of, to raise the troops from.
Raise
To bring up; to grow.
We visited a farm where they raise chickens.
Chew with your mouth shut — were you raised in a barn?
Raise
To promote.
To raise somebody to office
Raise
To mention (a question, issue) for discussion.
A few important questions were raised after the attack.
Raise
(legal) To create; to constitute (a use, or a beneficial interest in property).
There should be some consideration (i.e., payment or exchange) to raise a use.
Raise
To bring into being; to produce; to cause to arise, come forth, or appear.
Starting in January we will raise (introduce) taxes on all tobacco substitutes and vaping accessories.
Raise
To establish contact with (e.g., by telephone or radio).
Despite all the call congestion, she was eventually able to raise the police.
Raise
To respond to a bet by increasing the amount required to continue in the hand.
John bet, and Julie raised, requiring John to put in more money.
Raise
(arithmetic) To exponentiate, to involute.
Two raised to the fifth power equals 32.
Raise
To extract (a subject or other verb argument) out of an inner clause.
Raise
To produce a vowel with the tongue positioned closer to the roof of the mouth.
Raise
To increase the nominal value of (a cheque, money order, etc.) by fraudulently changing the writing or printing in which the sum payable is specified.
Raise
To instantiate and transmit (an exception, by throwing it, or an event).
A division by zero will raise an exception.
Raise
To open, initiate.
I will raise a trouble-ticket in order to correct this reporting issue.
Raise
(US) pay raise: an increase in wages or salary.
The boss gave me a raise.
Raise
(weightlifting) A shoulder exercise in which the arms are elevated against resistance.
Raise
(curling) A shot in which the delivered stone bumps another stone forward.
Raise
(poker) A bet that increases the previous bet.
Raise
A cairn or pile of stones.
Raise
To cause to rise; to bring from a lower to a higher place; to lift upward; to elevate; to heave; as, to raise a stone or weight.
Raise
To bring to a higher condition or situation; to elevate in rank, dignity, and the like; to increase the value or estimation of; to promote; to exalt; to advance; to enhance; as, to raise from a low estate; to raise to office; to raise the price, and the like.
This gentleman came to be raised to great titles.
The plate pieces of eight were raised three pence in the piece.
Raise
To cause to rise up, or assume an erect position or posture; to set up; to make upright; as, to raise a mast or flagstaff.
Raise
To increase the strength, vigor, or vehemence of; to excite; to intensify; to invigorate; to heighten; as, to raise the pulse; to raise the voice; to raise the spirits or the courage; to raise the heat of a furnace.
Raise
To cause to spring up from a recumbent position, from a state of quiet, or the like; to awaken; to arouse.
They shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
Raise
To cause to arise, grow up, or come into being or to appear; to give rise to; to originate, produce, cause, effect, or the like.
Raise
To elevate in degree according to some scale; as, to raise the pitch of the voice; to raise the temperature of a room.
Raise
To rouse to action; to stir up; to incite to tumult, struggle, or war; to excite.
He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind.
Æneas . . . employs his pains,In parts remote, to raise the Tuscan swains.
Raise
To form by the accumulation of materials or constituent parts; to build up; to erect; as, to raise a lofty structure, a wall, a heap of stones.
I will raise forts against thee.
Raise
To cause to rise, as by the effect of leaven; to make light and spongy, as bread.
Miss Liddy can dance a jig, and raise paste.
Raise
To bring up from the lower world; to call up, as a spirit from the world of spirits; to recall from death; to give life to.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead ?
Raise
To bring together; to collect; to levy; to get together or obtain for use or service; as, to raise money, troops, and the like.
Raise
To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it; as, to raise Sandy Hook light.
Raise
To cause to grow; to procure to be produced, bred, or propagated; to grow; as, to raise corn, barley, hops, etc.; toraise cattle.
I was raised, as they say in Virginia, among the mountains of the North.
Raise
To create or constitute; as, to raise a use, that is, to create it.
Raise
To bring into being; to produce; to cause to arise, come forth, or appear; - often with up.
I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee.
God vouchsafes to raise another worldFrom him [Noah], and all his anger to forget.
Raise
To give rise to; to set agoing; to occasion; to start; to originate; as, to raise a smile or a blush.
Thou shalt not raise a false report.
Raise
To give vent or utterance to; to utter; to strike up.
Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry.
Raise
To bring to notice; to submit for consideration; as, to raise a point of order; to raise an objection.
Raise
The amount a salary is increased;
He got a 3% raise
He got a wage hike
Raise
An upward slope or grade (as in a road);
The car couldn't make it up the rise
Raise
Increasing the size of a bet (as in poker);
I'll see your raise and double it
Raise
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Raise
Raise the level or amount of something;
Raise my salary
Raise the price of bread
Raise
Raise from a lower to a higher position;
Raise your hands
Lift a load
Raise
Cause to be heard or known; express or utter;
Raise a shout
Raise a protest
Raise a sad cry
Raise
Collect funds for a specific purpose;
The President raised several million dollars for his college
Raise
Cultivate by growing, often involving improvements by means of agricultural techniques;
The Bordeaux region produces great red wines
They produce good ham in Parma
We grow wheat here
We raise hogs here
Raise
Bring up;
Raise a family
Bring up children
Raise
Evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic;
Raise the specter of unemployment
He conjured wild birds in the air
Stir a disturbance
Call down the spirits from the mountain
Raise
Move upwards;
Lift one's eyes
Raise
Construct, build, or erect;
Raise a barn
Raise
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Raise
Create a disturbance, especially by making a great noise;
Raise hell
Raise the roof
Raise Cain
Raise
Raise in rank or condition;
The new law lifted many people from poverty
Raise
Increase;
This will enhance your enjoyment
Heighten the tension
Raise
Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position;
John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
I got promoted after many years of hard work
Raise
Cause to puff up with a leaven;
Unleavened bread
Raise
In bridge: bid (one's partner's suit) at a higher level
Raise
Bet more than the previous player
Raise
Cause to assemble or enlist in the military;
Raise an army
Recruit new soldiers
Raise
Put forward for consideration or discussion;
Raise the question of promotions
Bring up an unpleasant topic
Raise
Pronounce (vowels) by bringing the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth;
Raise your `o'
Raise
Activate or stir up;
Raise a mutiny
Raise
Establish radio communications with;
They managed to raise Hanoi last night
Raise
Multiply (a number) by itself a specified number of times: 8 is 2 raised to the power 3
Raise
Bring (a surface, a design, etc.) into relief and cause to project;
Raised edges
Raise
Invigorate or heighten;
Lift my spirits
Lift his ego
Raise
Put an end to;
Lift a ban
Raise a siege
Raise
Cause to become alive again;
Raise from the dead
Slavery is already dead, and cannot be resurrected
Upraising ghosts
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to "raise standards"?
It means to intentionally set higher expectations or criteria, usually to improve quality or performance.
Can an event "raise" something naturally?
Events can lead to natural increases, but using "raise" usually implies some degree of human agency or influence.
Can "increase" imply intentionality like "raise"?
While "increase" can be used in contexts where there's an intent to grow, it's more neutral and less direct about the effort involved compared to "raise".
How do you decide between "increase" and "raise" in writing?
Consider whether the context involves an intentional action ("raise") or a more neutral or natural growth ("increase").
Can "increase" ever be a passive action?
Yes, "increase" can be used in passive constructions, e.g., "The rent was increased by the landlord".
How does "increase" function as a noun?
As a noun, "increase" refers to the amount or degree by which something grows, e.g., "an increase of 10%".
Is it correct to say "raise the temperature"?
Yes, but it implies an intentional action, like adjusting a thermostat, as opposed to observing a natural increase.
Is "raise" used in financial contexts?
Yes, "raise" is often used in financial contexts to denote the intentional gathering of funds, as in "raising capital".
Can "raise" be used in a scientific context?
Yes, though less common, "raise" can be used when discussing intentional changes in experimental conditions.
Can "raise" be used interchangeably with "elevate"?
In many contexts, yes, especially when referring to lifting or improving something, but "elevate" often carries a more formal tone.
What's the difference between "raise" in poker and a salary "raise"?
In poker, "raise" refers to increasing the bet, while a salary "raise" is an increase in wages, both implying an uplift.
Does "raise" always involve physical lifting?
No, "raise" can also be used metaphorically to denote increasing or elevating something in a non-physical sense.
Can "increase" be used without specifying what is increasing?
It's possible, but less common and typically requires context, e.g., "They're looking for ways to increase."
Can "increase" be used in social or political contexts?
Yes, "increase" can be applied broadly, including in social or political contexts, to indicate growth or rise in phenomena or issues.
Is "raising awareness" the same as "increasing awareness"?
Both phrases mean to enhance understanding or recognition, but "raising awareness" more strongly conveys active effort.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
