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

While skin is known to absorb chemicals, including PFAS, genital and anal areas are made of mucosal surfaces, a type of thin, moist, and more sensitive skin that leads to the interior of the body. — Jillian Pretzel, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Lawmaker Mapamboli said the Eurobond controversy underscored DR Congo’s challenges in managing projects and absorbing financing. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

For years employers have absorbed the increases — KFF, a nonpartisan health research organization, found prices hospitals charged private insurers went up 30 percent over the last seven years. — Alex Olgin, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026

But a home that cannot absorb something deeply meaningful is striving for taste at the expense of inauthenticity. — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026