Synonyms of absorb

absorb

verb

əb-ˈsȯrb 

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

• drink
• swallow
• sip
• imbibe
• soak (up)
• sponge
• take up
• suck (up)
• gulp
• quaff
• slurp
• guzzle
• swig
• swill

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• occupy
• immerse
• interest
• intrigue
• involve
• attract
• fascinate
• engage
• grip
• busy
• engross
• distract
• enwrap
• catch up
• enthrall
• bemuse
• enchant
• preoccupy
• catch one's eye
• captivate
• obsess
• hypnotize
• charm
• mesmerize
• monopolize
• bewitch
• allure
• beguile
• hog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrate
• incorporate
• assimilate
• embody
• co-opt
• merge
• amalgamate
• combine
• commingle
• blend
• intermingle
• mingle
• habituate
• accustom
• acculturate
• condition
• enculturate
• fuse
• naturalize

4

as in to consume

to make complete use of

cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consume
• spend
• drain
• exhaust
• reduce
• burn
• use
• deplete
• eat
• expend
• devour
• play out
• draw down
• use up
• decrease
• run out of
• diminish
• waste
• empty
• weaken
• lessen
• downsize
• undermine
• clean (out)
• dwindle
• dissipate
• impoverish
• abate
• blow
• debilitate
• bankrupt
• cripple
• dry up
• sap
• disable
• enfeeble
• lower
• squander
• guzzle
• de-escalate
• throw away
• lavish
• run through
• misspend
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• replace
• increase
• renew
• augment
• enforce
• reinforce
• enlarge
• strengthen
• preserve
• restore
• save
• revive
• rebuild
• repair
• conserve
• bolster
• fortify

5

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult)

somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tolerate
• endure
• accept
• handle
• stand
• take
• sustain
• bear
• swallow
• stomach
• meet
• abide
• wear
• support
• stand for
• countenance
• stick out
• live with
• lump (it)
• suffer
• allow
• go
• bide
• brook
• hack
• sweat out
• tough it out
• permit
• pocket
• acquiesce
• reconcile (to)
• yield (to)
• submit (to)
• agree (with or to)
• capitulate
• respect
• consent (to)
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of absorb

Over hundreds of years, oaks growing along the Inner Passage absorbed the sight of angled elbows against the land, backs bent, as hundreds of men sacrificed their lives to carve canals from the swamp. —Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026

Burdines was absorbed by Macy’s in 2005, and that store is still open. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

But economists say the similarities may be largely superficial, thanks to more flexible exchange-rate regimes and deeper foreign exchange reserves, which provide a buffer that helps absorb some of the shock. —Anniek Bao,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026

Plus, moss plants provide a habitat for insects and other wildlife, and can be used to control erosion, absorb stormwater runoff, and suppress weeds. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026