Increase vs. Raise: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
"Increase" refers to the act of becoming greater in size, amount, or degree, while "raise" typically means to lift or elevate something, often used in the context of increasing salaries or quantities.
Key Differences
Increase refers to a growth in size, number, value, or intensity, applicable in various contexts like economy, volume, or temperature. Raise, on the other hand, typically involves physically lifting something to a higher position, often used in contexts like raising a flag or hand.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Increase can imply a gradual or sudden change in quantity or degree, often used in abstract or statistical terms. Raise is more action-oriented, generally implying an intentional act of moving something upwards, often associated with physical objects or salaries.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Increase can be both a noun and a verb, describing the act of growing as well as the result of that growth. Raise, primarily a verb, focuses on the action of elevating, but it can also be a noun, denoting the amount by which something is raised.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Increase often suggests an expansion or amplification in scope or scale, like increasing awareness or increasing pressure. Raise usually has a more specific target, like raising a child or raising funds, implying a directed effort or action.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
In usage, increase can be applied to both tangible and intangible elements, like increasing speed or increasing concern. Raise often requires a direct object, indicating what is being lifted or elevated, such as raising standards or raising a building.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Quantitative and qualitative growth
Physical elevation or increase in position/status
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Context
Abstract and statistical; e.g., prices, temperature
Physical and intentional; e.g., salaries, objects
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Increase and Raise Definitions
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Raise
To increase in intensity, degree, strength, or pitch
Raised his voice.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To improve in rank or dignity; promote
Raised her to management level.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The amount or rate by which something is increased
A tax increase of 15 percent.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
(intransitive) (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
His rage only increased when I told him of the lost money.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To accustom to something from an early age
"a post-World War II generation raised on shopping malls and multiplex cinemas" (Gustav Niebuhr).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To put forward for consideration
Raised an important question. See Synonyms at broach1.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
The Moon increases.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
(knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see Increase (knitting).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To make contact with by radio
Couldn't raise the control tower after midnight.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To gather together; collect
Raise money from the neighbors for a charity.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To end (a siege) by withdrawing troops or forcing the enemy troops to withdraw.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
Progeny; issue; offspring.
All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To alter and increase fraudulently the written value of (a check, for example).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
A change resulting in an increase;
The increase is scheduled for next month
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The amount by which something increases;
They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Increase
Make bigger or more;
The boss finally increased her salary
The university increased the number of students it admitted
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To cause something to come to the surface of water.
The ship was raised ten years after it had sunk.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(nautical) To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it.
To raise Sandy Hook light
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(figurative) To cause (a dead person) to live again; to resurrect.
The magic spell raised the dead from their graves!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To collect or amass.
To raise a lot of money for charity; to raise troops
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To mention (a question, issue) for discussion.
A few important questions were raised after the attack.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To establish contact with (e.g., by telephone or radio).
Despite all the call congestion, she was eventually able to raise the police.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(arithmetic) To exponentiate, to involute.
Two raised to the fifth power equals 32.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To extract (a subject or other verb argument) out of an inner clause.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To produce a vowel with the tongue positioned closer to the roof of the mouth.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To instantiate and transmit (an exception, by throwing it, or an event).
A division by zero will raise an exception.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To open, initiate.
I will raise a trouble-ticket in order to correct this reporting issue.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(US) pay raise: an increase in wages or salary.
The boss gave me a raise.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(weightlifting) A shoulder exercise in which the arms are elevated against resistance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
(curling) A shot in which the delivered stone bumps another stone forward.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To elevate in degree according to some scale; as, to raise the pitch of the voice; to raise the temperature of a room.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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 ?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it; as, to raise Sandy Hook light.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To give vent or utterance to; to utter; to strike up.
Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
To bring to notice; to submit for consideration; as, to raise a point of order; to raise an objection.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
An upward slope or grade (as in a road);
The car couldn't make it up the rise
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Increasing the size of a bet (as in poker);
I'll see your raise and double it
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Raise the level or amount of something;
Raise my salary
Raise the price of bread
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Cause to be heard or known; express or utter;
Raise a shout
Raise a protest
Raise a sad cry
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Collect funds for a specific purpose;
The President raised several million dollars for his college
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Create a disturbance, especially by making a great noise;
Raise hell
Raise the roof
Raise Cain
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Raise in rank or condition;
The new law lifted many people from poverty
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Cause to assemble or enlist in the military;
Raise an army
Recruit new soldiers
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Put forward for consideration or discussion;
Raise the question of promotions
Bring up an unpleasant topic
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Pronounce (vowels) by bringing the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth;
Raise your `o'
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Establish radio communications with;
They managed to raise Hanoi last night
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Multiply (a number) by itself a specified number of times: 8 is 2 raised to the power 3
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Bring (a surface, a design, etc.) into relief and cause to project;
Raised edges
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Raise
Cause to become alive again;
Raise from the dead
Slavery is already dead, and cannot be resurrected
Upraising ghosts
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do both words have similar meanings in finance?
They can overlap, like an increase in salary or a raise.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can 'increase' be used as a noun?
Yes, 'increase' can be a noun, indicating the amount or degree of growth.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can 'increase' be used without an object?
Yes, like "The temperature increased."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is 'raise' only used in physical contexts?
No, 'raise' can also imply increasing status or amounts, like in salary.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can 'increase' imply a decrease?
No, 'increase' always suggests growth or expansion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can 'raise' be used in abstract contexts?
Yes, like raising awareness or standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Does 'raise' always require an object?
Typically, yes, like "Raise the flag."
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is 'increase' used in scientific contexts?
Yes, like increasing temperature.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Are 'increase' and 'raise' interchangeable?
Not always; they have distinct usages and contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Does 'raise' always mean upward movement?
Generally, but it can also imply elevation in status.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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