1
as in raising
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
I needed help lifting the heavy globe back up to the top shelf
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rising
to move or extend upward
once the sun started to cut through the morning fog, the colorful hot-air balloons began to lift off from the field
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
she turned her back for just a moment, and somebody lifted her purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lifting
Classical music groups in the Twin Cities are rising to the task, with offerings aimed at lifting the spirit, probing the soul, and creating a hopeful vision forward.
—
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Will Smith hit a go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning Saturday on his 31st birthday, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a season-opening three-game sweep.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The upcoming Artemis 2 mission to launch astronauts on a 10-day mission around the moon is lifting off on SLS, and the crew's attendance tonight at Johnson's invitation will no doubt serve as an excellent symbol of Louisiana's contributions to the national stage.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The 34-year-old from Severna Park, Maryland, got serious about lifting in 2024, around the time her doctor prescribed the GLP-1 medication Zepbound to support her weight-loss efforts.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
At the time, commission members said lifting the restriction would have cleared the way for the complex.
—Neal Franklin, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Friends said Hanson was known for her energy and sense of humor, often lifting the mood during long nights of work.
—Vivian Richey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
And to combat those rising prices, The white House took the remarkable step Friday of lifting sanctions against Iranian oil already at sea and ready to be delivered.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Will Smith hit a go-ahead, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning Saturday on his 31st birthday, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a season-opening three-game sweep.
—CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
The upcoming Artemis 2 mission to launch astronauts on a 10-day mission around the moon is lifting off on SLS, and the crew's attendance tonight at Johnson's invitation will no doubt serve as an excellent symbol of Louisiana's contributions to the national stage.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
The 34-year-old from Severna Park, Maryland, got serious about lifting in 2024, around the time her doctor prescribed the GLP-1 medication Zepbound to support her weight-loss efforts.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
At the time, commission members said lifting the restriction would have cleared the way for the complex.
—Neal Franklin, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Friends said Hanson was known for her energy and sense of humor, often lifting the mood during long nights of work.
—Vivian Richey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
And to combat those rising prices, The white House took the remarkable step Friday of lifting sanctions against Iranian oil already at sea and ready to be delivered.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifting
Verb
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But the arc — first raising expectations for a big reveal, then declaring there was nothing to see, and ultimately a forced, flawed document dump — was a stubbornly problematic storyline that ran through her time as attorney general.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Despite recent rain and snow in Northern California, state water officials say the Sierra snowpack remains near historic lows, raising concerns about water availability during the hot summer months.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Arthur Brooks, in particular, has made a career of elevating his noncommittal waffling into a warped kind of virtue.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Smith is a Marine Corps Purple Heart veteran and an ordained minister whose work challenges traditional monuments by elevating the stories of everyday heroes and historical figures, city officials said in the news release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To get on a bus is to spend some time climbing aboard, or being pushed from behind, or being pulled up by the armpit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This weekend the heat is back, with inland valleys climbing into the mid-80s and San Francisco on track to hit 80 degrees for the eighth or ninth time this year.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pinch-and-hold switches noise modes, while swiping up or down controls volume.—
Christian de Looper,
PC Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Hamilton has reached base five times in his nine plate appearances, swiping three bags.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jannik Sinner kept it classic, strapping on a Rolex Daytona before hoisting the championship trophy at the Miami Open.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
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Rodriguez landed on his knees, injuring his shoulder, and was hoisting himself back up when Hernandez allegedly targeted Williams, according to prosecutors.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Walt Disney Company’s CEO transition is notable not just for who is ascending, but for how deliberately the company built financial stability around it by extending CFO Hugh Johnston’s contract months before a new CEO was even named.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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For the past three seasons, Carlsbad High School has been ascending the ranks of girls lacrosse.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifting. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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