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

Drip irrigation that adds moisture slowly so it is absorbed properly at the root level is a good choice to keep hydrangeas healthy. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Brady and his lifestyle and fitness brand, TB12, advocated for the benefits of bioceramic powder in sleepwear as supposedly absorbing body heat and reducing inflammation. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026

Buettner said the overnight cooling makes the rice starch resistant, so the body absorbs it more slowly and blood sugar does not spike. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Inside the trap-like leaf, digestive enzymes are secreted to break down the prey and absorb its nutrients. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026