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

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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

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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?

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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 after Anthropic announced its Mythos model, a group of tech executives including Amodei spoke with Vice President Vance and others to discuss the risks, and Amodei took a trip to the White House. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 In the comments section, some viewers said Casablancas represented a model for how artists should take a stand against Israel and its supporters. Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
No word yet on the plot of the feature take. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026 Whereas the film more or less followed the book’s plot, the series description suggests a somewhat different take. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Carl Wilson held a lead Tuesday night in the special election for a City Council seat on Manhattan’s West Side against Lindsey Boylan, in what has shaped up as a proxy battle in the ongoing power struggle between Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The conspiracy charge holds a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, while the kidnapping charge is punishable by up to 20 years.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Earnings from India’s bellwether software services exporters have reinforced investor concerns about the sector’s growth prospects, signaling that the downturn in their stocks has further to run.
    Ashutosh Joshi, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • That outing followed a strong Game 3 showing, too, as Dosunmu had 25 points (10-for-15 shooting) and nine assists in that 113-96 win.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Five hours before the puck dropped, the get-in price was $239 for a ticket in the top row of the arena.
    Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Both Ponds and Glenn were undersized cornerbacks who both love to get physical.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Keep it simple, stay within your limits, and choose what actually supports you long term.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Documents show both deputies received Skelly conferences — pre-disciplinary hearings afforded to public employees who choose to rebut misconduct allegations.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The recruitment has been part of that — Leipzig bought well and sold the players who needed to leave — but Werner has handled a young squad particularly well, minimising the volatility that was such a feature of their football last season.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • This simply cannot be done without the ability to buy land.
    Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Step back, decide what needs to be said, and deliver it once with clarity and control.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Stars need more of that mindset at five-on-five.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The building will have a gym, a gross motor room with play equipment for the youngest students, a two-story library with reading nooks, a learning hub able to accommodate two classes at a time, and an outdoor area with patio furniture.
    Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This setup is ultra-welcoming and can accommodate a large crew—bring on the s'mores and bonfires this summer.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At the time, Esperanza-Pacheco was working as a pastor at God’s Lighthouse of Truth in Richmond, where the victim and her family were members and had developed a friendship with him.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The Huff signing did not work, and now the Eagles have ensured that Greenard will wear green with a major trade.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

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