take 1 of 2

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as in to accommodate
to make or have room for I think we can take two more in this elevator

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8
as in to work
to produce a desired effect it will be a few hours before this medication takes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to receive
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants

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take

2 of 2

noun

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as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior what's your take on the announcement that the senior vice president is taking an early retirement?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in yield
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time who will win the poker tournament and collect the whole take?

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as in share
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group because there were so many winners of the jackpot, each person's take will be smaller than expected

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as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play) despite its contemporary setting, this take on King Lear isn't particularly novel or insightful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word take different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of take are clutch, grab, grasp, seize, and snatch. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

In what contexts can clutch take the place of take?

In some situations, the words clutch and take are roughly equivalent. However, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of take?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Where would grasp be a reasonable alternative to take?

While the synonyms grasp and take are close in meaning, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When is seize a more appropriate choice than take?

While in some cases nearly identical to take, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of take?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

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 take
Verb
Sphere Abacus has taken distribution on the Carl Lewis film and Osmosis Global on Checkpoint Zoo. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 For decades, there has been a shortage of air traffic controllers in the United States and many are working mandatory overtime, so a small number of people taking unscheduled time off can have a major impact. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Its propeller guards offer it extra protection on take-off and landing. Chris McMullen, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Holbrook plays Brodie, a podcaster who is beloved by a young male audience for his provocative, controversial takes, nodding to the rise of bro podcasters in today’s zeitgeist. Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Advertisement An investigation led by the Guardian found in September that out of the 6,000 Palestinians from Gaza held by Israel since the Hamas terror attack two years ago, only one quarter were held on suspicion of militant links.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Second, ensure the whole executive team fully buys into the idea and holds others accountable for implementation.
    Adam Gale, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • James is one of them, though his kindly attempts to be there for Linda, as amateur repairman and reluctant babysitter, have a way of backfiring, usually on himself.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Although exact details have yet to be released, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend, while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That is why, with an open base, the Phillies chose to put Shohei Ohtani on first.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Underwood believes that choosing a name isn’t just about what sounds sweet in childhood, but about who her child will eventually grow into in the real world.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Why does one hard working fan have to buy seven different versions of an album instead of just having all of the songs be on one complete album?
    Bryan West, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Please note that this product is sold without a heatsink, so PC users should double-check whether their motherboard already has one built in, while PS5 users will definitely need one.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While relocating the U21s and U18s from the main building was a deliberate choice, space has in any case been taken up by open-plan offices to accommodate non-football staff relocated from Old Trafford — a policy instructed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Another feature that’s worth highlighting is the 129 square-foot sleeping loft that can accommodate a bed, small nightstands, floating shelves, and even a houseplant or two.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Two of her three children attend the center full time while Wentland juggles part-time work and a full-time class load; her husband works full time.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Perez said community members and law enforcement need to work together in order to combat violent crime.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

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