Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

absorb

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of absorb

1 to take in (something liquid) through small openings
  • Most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth.
Synonyms of absorb

drink, imbibe, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up
Words Related to absorb

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 of absorb

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

allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, enchant, obsess

hypnotize, mesmerize

distract, preoccupy

hog, monopolize
Phrases Synonymous with absorb

catch one's eye
Near Antonyms of absorb

bore, jade, pall, tire, weary
3 to make a part of a body or system
  • The large corporation absorbed smaller businesses in takeovers.
Synonyms of absorb

assimilate, co-opt, embody, incorporate, integrate
Words Related to absorb

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 of absorb

burn, consume, deplete, devour, drain, draw down, exhaust, expend, play out, spend, use up
Words Related to absorb

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
Phrases Synonymous with absorb

run out of
Near Antonyms of absorb

augment, enlarge, increase

bolster, enforce, fortify, reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen

rebuild, repair, restore, revive

conserve, preserve, save
Antonyms of absorb

renew, replace
5 to put up with (something painful or difficult)
  • Somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered.
Synonyms of absorb

abide, accept, bear, brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate
Words Related to absorb

allow, permit, suffer, swallow

reconcile (to)

acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
Phrases Synonymous with absorb

live with, lump (it), stand for, tough out (it)
Near Antonyms of absorb

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)

Learn More about absorb

  1. See words that rhyme with absorb Dictionary: Definition of absorb Medical Dictionary: Definition of absorb Spanish Central: Translation of absorb Nglish: Translation of absorb for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of absorb for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up absorb? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games