absorb

Tweet

verb

Definition of ABSORB

1

to take in (something liquid) through small openings <most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth>

Synonyms drink, imbibe, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

Related Words gulp, guzzle, quaff, sip, slurp, swallow, swig, swill

2

to hold the attention of <chatting on the phone doesn't absorb me so much that I can't do something else at the same time>

Synonyms absorb, bemuse, busy, catch up, engross, enthrall (or enthral), enwrap, fascinate, grip, immerse, interest, intrigue, involve, occupy

Related Words allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess; hypnotize, mesmerize; distract, preoccupy; hog, monopolize

Near Antonyms bore, jade, pall, tire, weary

3

to make a part of a body or system <local schools will seek to absorb the new immigrants into the regular curriculum as quickly as possible>

Synonyms absorb, assimilate, co-opt, incorporate, integrate

Related Words amalgamate, blend, combine, commingle, fuse, intermingle, merge, mingle; acculturate, accustom, condition, enculturate, habituate, naturalize

4

to make complete use of <cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy>

Synonyms absorb, burn, consume, devour, drain, draw down, exhaust, expend, play out, spend, use up

Related Words abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, reduce; eat, use; bankrupt, clean (out), impoverish; cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, undermine, weaken; dry up, empty; blow, dissipate, fritter (away), guzzle, lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste

Near Antonyms augment, enlarge, increase; bolster, enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; rebuild, repair, restore, revive; conserve, preserve, save

Antonyms renew, replace

5

to put up with (something painful or difficult) <somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered>

Synonyms abide, absorb, accept, bide [chiefly dialect], brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear [British]

Related Words allow, permit, suffer, swallow; reconcile (to); acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)

Near Antonyms decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down; combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist; avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss; abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)