absorb

verb

əb-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce absorb (audio)
Definition of absorbnext
1
as in to drink
to take in (something liquid) through small openings most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to occupy
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to integrate
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

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4
as in to consume
to make complete use of cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to tolerate
to put up with (something painful or difficult) somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered

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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 absorb Neither action sat well with a large crowd of property owners who crowded into the board room to protest the village’s action and its plans to absorb more homes. — Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 The donor layer absorbed visible light, while the transparent acceptor layer allowed sunlight to pass through. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026 This specific type of fiber interferes with your body’s ability to absorb cholesterol, which may help lower LDL cholesterol over time. — Trista Chan, HEALTH, 2 Nov. 2026 This retinal is formulated to absorb optimally, with spicules creating easier pathways. — Rosa Jisoo Pyo, InStyle, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absorb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absorb
  1. drink
  2. occupy
  3. integrate
  4. consume
  5. tolerate
  6. swallow
  7. immerse
  8. incorporate
Verb
  • Observed employees drinking coffee by the sushi area who changed their gloves but didn’t wash their hands before preparing sushi for customers’ orders.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Food and drink As with Chablé’s other properties, the food program is overseen by Jorge Vallejo, who helms Mexico City’s Quintonil (named as one of the world’s top 50 restaurants).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Verb
  • The rooms Most of the 297 rooms and suites occupy a 30-storey tower added in the ’90s, where champagne tones, glossy dark woods, and silk accents meet impeccable detail.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The new Mastro’s took over the ground-floor space formerly occupied by McCormick & Schmick’s at the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • By integrating the launcher into a standard shipping container, the solution can be transported more easily, moved between locations, and incorporated into existing logistics and transportation networks.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • However, many climate functions remain integrated into the touchscreen interface.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of integrate
Verb
  • The people most consumed by the cost of living are the least sure their vote changes anything.
    — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • That approach consumes considerable material and takes time during clearance operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of consume
Verb
  • Voters who are feeling flush may be willing to tolerate a degree of self-dealing from politicians that becomes insupportable when grocery bills are high.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Most of the new towers remain concrete structures, but they’re now typically clad in glass, metal or masonry, and the frame — while expressed — is generally whipped up into a more interesting confection than Mies would have tolerated.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Verb
  • Some retailers, meanwhile, chose to swallow some of the additional tax rather than pass it to shoppers in the form of higher prices, Milesi-Ferretti added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs will someday be absorbed by the pack, their lead position in the SEC swallowed up by Florida, South Carolina and their ilk as the transfer portal and name, image and likeness payments continue to level the playing field.
    — KEN SUGIURA, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of swallow
Verb
  • Here, Chen can immerse himself in his noodles, spending hours in the kitchen crafting bowls of bouncy strands sluiced in chile oil and crowded with things like pickled mustard greens, ground pork and pickled chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Related Stories From football camp to visceral, harrowing sequences of war in the Pacific, the story takes audiences through it all, immersing them in the experience.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of immerse
Verb
  • Arugula is a leafy green that can be incorporated into a variety of dishes from breakfast and lunch to dinner.
    — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The second-generation prototype, Max 2, is expected to incorporate several hardware changes.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of incorporate

Browse Nearby Words

absolving
absorb
absorbable
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Cite this Entry

“Absorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absorb. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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