TAKE UP Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

take up

verb

Definition of take up

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position please take up the blanket so I can look underneath it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to drink

to take in (something liquid) through small openings the soil was so dry that the plant seemed to take up the much-needed water instantly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to borrow

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) one cluster of fans started chanting the team name of the champions, and the crowd quickly took up the cry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of take up What followed when Flaco, who had lived his entire life in captivity, took up residence on New York City rooftops and trees is a surprising story revealing the delight, concern, and fascination of millions in the city and beyond. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 July 2026 The next three spots were taken up by Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO at $45 million, Ashley Flowers’ Crime Junkie at $42 million and SmartLess at $37 million. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Though when Pierce Brosnan took up the role in the 1999 remake, Crown steals Monet’s San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk (1908–12) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, though that painting actually belongs to the National Museum Cardiff in Wales. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026 Several of its recommendations were later taken up by President Jimmy Carter, who was elected to the White House months after the report’s release. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for take up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for take up

Verb

If fiscal spending lifts growth and productivity, markets will be more forgiving.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Speaking from their home in Birmingham, Alabama, over video, Nan Skier lifted her hand to show the very first piece from their collection, which fits comfortably on her index finger.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

This incident, which occurred after he was allegedly seen drinking at bars, solidifies a pattern of injury and questionable decision-making for the player.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Neither the Pawn Chess Club founders nor Bannon see this as separate from how young people are drinking.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of drink

Verb

Then there was also that the Children's Trust document allowed the Kittrells to substitute property in the trust, to hold trust property in their own names, and to borrow from the trust.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, in South Korea, retail investors are borrowing money at record levels to purchase stocks, data from the Korea Financial Investment Association showed.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrow

Verb

Every quarter of adoption raises the cost of an adverse ruling, for both sides.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
The project has transformed the Burchardi Church, which was left largely in ruins before money was raised for a new roof and other fixes to make the piece a reality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Above a certain temperature, the system starts to work against itself; the furious beating of cilia uses up any oxygen the coral’s tissues can absorb, and then the polyps can suffocate in the less oxygenated water.

— Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Salmon argues there simply won’t be enough collectors or museums willing to absorb it.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorb

Verb

For many commercial fleets, access to fueling has remained one of the biggest obstacles to adopting natural gas vehicles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
The Connecticut State Board of Education adopted new guidance Wednesday encouraging schools to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on cellphone and personal technology use.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

In an effort to help elevate Thoroughbred racing among the everyday sports fan, Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association will launch a three-year-old championship series consisting of six races beginning in 2027.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Boxwood shrubs are a great option for pristine hedges and natural privacy screens, elevating your landscaping with their bright green foliage and clean appearance.

— Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of elevate

Verb

For men, the 181 Relaxed and 281 Baggy fits worn by Puth in the campaign capture the shift toward more relaxed silhouettes that consumers are embracing today.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026
In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026