take 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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take

2 of 2

noun

1
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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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
But permitting takes forever in Miami, so Smorgasburg stayed put for a bit longer. Amanda Rosa march 31, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026 When Argentina hosted in 1978, the military junta that had taken power two years earlier staged elaborate ceremonies as markers of the country’s stability amid growing evidence of violent political repression. Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Other organizations have weighed in with their takes about the worldwide expansion of Community Notes. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026 For an elevated take, head to the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel’s Le Club Bar for a dainty banh mi sliced into bite-sized pieces and served on the finest porcelain. Tamara Hinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Perry's representative confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the workers were eventually allowed to hold onto the gift cards after confusion was cleared up.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • However, the Heat holds the tiebreaker, so the Hornets are in 10th place in the conference with six games left.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Kings never had the defensive activity to disrupt them much.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Political experts have also pointed out that Proposition 50 passed with a wide margin, with 64% of of voters approving the measure, so the investigation wouldn't have any impact on the results.
    Laurie Perez, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The move will allow TSA employees to get their paychecks as early as March 30 instead of waiting for back pay after the shutdown ends.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Hope Harvill got the game winner in the 17th minute off an assist by Paola Granados for the Mustangs.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), located in Switzerland, chooses hurricane names several years in advance based on strict criteria.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The agenda included choosing a name for their future town.
    Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Going to a local bike shop instead of buying online can help, enabling riders to ask questions, take a test ride and learn what’s legal and what isn’t.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Whoever sold oil futures and bought stock futures had made a lot of money in a short time.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Miles and Suarez will need to be excellent again, but ultimately the Horned Frogs will need much more against South Carolina’s elite defense.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Traoré led the Nets with 17 points and six assists, controlling the game without needing to overcomplicate it.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The effective oil blockade has caused blackouts and trash to pile up in the capital, with hospitals struggling to accommodate patients due to the energy crunch.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Entertaining spaces are designed to expand and contract depending on use, accommodating larger groups without feeling oversized when empty.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Uber and Rivian didn’t disclose how the new driverless vehicles will work, including having their own app or as a special request on the existing Uber app.
    Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The bond works like a mortgage or home loan, according to the ISD website.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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