Grow vs. Raise: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 19, 2023
"Grow" typically refers to natural development or increase in size, while "Raise" generally involves bringing up, elevating, or cultivating something, usually by human intervention.
Key Differences
"Grow" and "Raise" are terms often used in relation to development and increase. "Grow" usually denotes a natural or organic process, often not requiring human intervention, such as when plants grow or economies grow. In contrast, "Raise" implies a more direct form of human intervention or effort, as when one raises children or raises cattle, guiding, nurturing, or cultivating them to maturity or a certain state.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
In agricultural contexts, the difference between "Grow" and "Raise" becomes particularly noteworthy. Crops, plants, and vegetation are typically said to grow, highlighting the natural process of germination and development. However, livestock and animals are said to be raised, emphasizing the human effort in feeding, sheltering, and nurturing them to maturity or a specific condition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
When considering personal development or progress, "Grow" typically relates to self-development, knowledge expansion, or maturity increase, like growing as a person or growing in understanding. "Raise," however, would more likely refer to actively promoting or enhancing one's status, condition, or level, such as raising one's consciousness or raising one’s standards, often implying conscious effort or intervention.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Similarly, in economic and financial contexts, "Grow" would usually relate to the natural increase or expansion, as in growing wealth or a growing economy. "Raise," conversely, would often relate to actively accumulating or collecting, like raising funds or raising capital, which involves direct actions and initiatives to increase the amount.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
The words "Grow" and "Raise" while seemingly synonymous, are distinguished by the nature and involvement of the developmental process they refer to. "Grow" illustrates organic, inherent progress or increase, while "Raise" denotes deliberate, nurtured elevation or cultivation.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Nature of Development
Natural or organic process
Act of nurturing or cultivating
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Typical Use
Used for plants, knowledge, understanding
Used for animals, funds, awareness
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Human Intervention
Usually minimal or non-existent
Typically involves direct human effort
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Application Context
Agricultural, personal development, economic
Agricultural, financial, developmental
Harlon Moss
Oct 17, 2023
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Grow and Raise Definitions
Grow
To grow can mean to expand, as in businesses or economies.
The company continues to grow despite market fluctuations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Raise can refer to bringing up or educating a child.
It takes a lot of effort to raise children properly.
Sara Rehman
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Grow can also imply becoming progressively greater, as in emotions or relationships.
Our friendship continues to grow stronger every day.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To raise can mean to collect or accumulate, as in funds or support.
The charity event managed to raise a significant amount of money.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2023
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Raise
Raise can also imply increasing the amount, level, or strength of something.
The company decided to raise the salary of its employees.
Harlon Moss
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To become attached by or as if by the process of growth
Tree trunks that had grown together.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To come into existence from a source; spring up
Love that grew from friendship.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To come to be by a gradual process or by degrees; become
Grow angry.
Grow closer.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To allow (something) to develop or increase by a natural process
Grow a beard.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Usage Problem To cause to increase or expand by concerted effort
Strategies that grew the family business.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
(ergative) To become larger, to increase in magnitude.
Children grow quickly.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To undergo growth; to be present somewhere
Apples now grow all over the world.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To put forward for consideration
Raised an important question. See Synonyms at broach1.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
(intransitive) To appear or sprout.
Leaf buds grew on the trees with the advance of spring.
A long tail began to grow from his backside.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
(intransitive) To develop, to mature.
As I grew throughout adolescence, I came to appreciate many things about human nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
(transitive) To cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants.
He grows peppers and squash each summer in his garden.
Have you ever grown your hair before?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
(copulative) To assume a condition or quality over time.
The boy grew wise as he matured.
The town grew smaller and smaller in the distance as we travelled.
You have grown strong.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To make contact with by radio
Couldn't raise the control tower after midnight.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To increase in size by a natural and organic process; to increase in bulk by the gradual assimilation of new matter into the living organism; - said of animals and vegetables and their organs.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To gather together; collect
Raise money from the neighbors for a charity.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To increase in any way; to become larger and stronger; to be augmented; to advance; to extend; to wax; to accrue.
Winter began to grow fast on.
Even just the sum that I do owe to youIs growing to me by Antipholus.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To spring up and come to maturity in a natural way; to be produced by vegetation; to thrive; to flourish; as, rice grows in warm countries.
Where law faileth, error groweth.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To end (a siege) by withdrawing troops or forcing the enemy troops to withdraw.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To pass from one state to another; to result as an effect from a cause; to become; as, to grow pale.
For his mindHad grown Suspicion's sanctuary.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow.
These wars have grown out of commercial considerations.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To cause to grow; to cultivate; to produce; as, to grow a crop; to grow wheat, hops, or tobacco.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain;
The problem grew too large for me
Her business grew fast
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Increase in size by natural process;
Corn doesn't grow here
In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To alter and increase fraudulently the written value of (a check, for example).
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation;
He matured fast
The child grew fast
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Come into existence; take on form or shape;
A new religious movement originated in that country
A love that sprang up from friendship
The idea for the book grew out of a short story
An interesting phenomenon uprose
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Grow emotionally or mature;
The child developed beautifully in her new kindergarten
When he spent a summer at camp, the boy grew noticeably and no longer showed some of his old adolescent behavior
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Become attached by or as if by the process of growth;
The tree trunks had grown together
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
To grow means to increase in size or amount over time.
The small seed will grow into a large tree.
Sara Rehman
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To cause something to come to the surface of water.
The ship was raised ten years after it had sunk.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Grow can refer to the process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Children grow rapidly in their early years.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(nautical) To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it.
To raise Sandy Hook light
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Grow
Grow can denote the natural development of plants, organisms, or bodies.
The plants grow best with plenty of sunlight and water.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(figurative) To cause (a dead person) to live again; to resurrect.
The magic spell raised the dead from their graves!
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To collect or amass.
To raise a lot of money for charity; to raise troops
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To mention (a question, issue) for discussion.
A few important questions were raised after the attack.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(arithmetic) To exponentiate, to involute.
Two raised to the fifth power equals 32.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To produce a vowel with the tongue positioned closer to the roof of the mouth.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To instantiate and transmit (an exception, by throwing it, or an event).
A division by zero will raise an exception.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To open, initiate.
I will raise a trouble-ticket in order to correct this reporting issue.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(US) pay raise: an increase in wages or salary.
The boss gave me a raise.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(weightlifting) A shoulder exercise in which the arms are elevated against resistance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
(curling) A shot in which the delivered stone bumps another stone forward.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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 ?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it; as, to raise Sandy Hook light.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To give vent or utterance to; to utter; to strike up.
Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To bring to notice; to submit for consideration; as, to raise a point of order; to raise an objection.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
An upward slope or grade (as in a road);
The car couldn't make it up the rise
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Increasing the size of a bet (as in poker);
I'll see your raise and double it
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Raise the level or amount of something;
Raise my salary
Raise the price of bread
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Cause to be heard or known; express or utter;
Raise a shout
Raise a protest
Raise a sad cry
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Collect funds for a specific purpose;
The President raised several million dollars for his college
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses);
Arouse pity
Raise a smile
Evoke sympathy
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Create a disturbance, especially by making a great noise;
Raise hell
Raise the roof
Raise Cain
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Cause to assemble or enlist in the military;
Raise an army
Recruit new soldiers
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Put forward for consideration or discussion;
Raise the question of promotions
Bring up an unpleasant topic
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Pronounce (vowels) by bringing the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth;
Raise your `o'
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Establish radio communications with;
They managed to raise Hanoi last night
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Multiply (a number) by itself a specified number of times: 8 is 2 raised to the power 3
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Bring (a surface, a design, etc.) into relief and cause to project;
Raised edges
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Cause to become alive again;
Raise from the dead
Slavery is already dead, and cannot be resurrected
Upraising ghosts
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
To raise means to lift or move to a higher position or level.
They raise the flag every morning.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2023
Raise
Raise can denote cultivating and breeding animals.
Farmers raise livestock for various agricultural products.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 29, 2023
FAQs
Can ‘grow’ be used in a financial context?
Yes, ‘grow’ can be used to denote the natural increase or expansion in financial contexts, like growing wealth.
Harlon Moss
Oct 17, 2023
Does ‘raise’ imply a conscious effort?
Yes, ‘raise’ usually implies deliberate, nurtured elevation or cultivation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Can businesses ‘grow’?
Yes, businesses can ‘grow’ to denote expansion or increase in size, wealth, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Can ‘raise’ be used to refer to plants?
Generally, plants are said to ‘grow’ while ‘raise’ is more suitable for animals or funds.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Can ‘raise’ be used to refer to a natural or organic process?
Typically, ‘raise’ denotes deliberate actions and is not used to describe natural or organic processes.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 17, 2023
Can ‘grow’ be used to refer to raising children?
Typically, ‘grow’ refers to natural development, and ‘raise’ is more appropriate for referring to bringing up children.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Does ‘grow’ always involve human intervention?
‘Grow’ usually denotes a natural or organic process, often not requiring human intervention.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Can ‘raise’ denote cultivating and breeding animals?
Yes, ‘raise’ is the suitable term for denoting the cultivation and breeding of animals.
Harlon Moss
Oct 17, 2023
Can you ‘raise’ the level of something?
Yes, ‘raise’ can be used to imply increasing the amount, level, or strength of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Can you ‘raise’ awareness?
Yes, ‘raise’ is commonly used to denote the act of increasing awareness or consciousness.
Harlon Moss
Oct 17, 2023
Does ‘grow’ imply becoming progressively greater?
Yes, ‘grow’ can imply becoming progressively greater, as in emotions or relationships.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Can ‘raise’ refer to increasing in size or amount over time?
‘Raise’ usually refers to actively promoting or elevating, rather than a natural increase in size or amount.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Is ‘grow’ suitable for referring to personal development?
Yes, ‘grow’ is suitable for referring to the process of developing or maturing physically, mentally, or emotionally.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 17, 2023
Is ‘grow’ a synonym for ‘raise’?
While seemingly synonymous in some contexts, ‘grow’ and ‘raise’ have distinctions, especially in the nature and involvement of the developmental process.
Sara Rehman
Oct 17, 2023
Can emotions ‘grow’?
Yes, emotions can ‘grow’ to denote becoming progressively greater or more intense.
Janet White
Oct 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
