take 1 of 2

verb

ˈtāk How to pronounce take (audio)
Definition of takenext
1
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms take my hand, or we'll get separated in this crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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2
as in to have
to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly will you take that call? took a cut in pay

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3
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) if you don't cover your head in this weather, you'll take cold and be stuck inside all weekend

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4
as in to choose
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities you can take the white side this time, since I got to be white for our last chess game

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5
as in to buy
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please

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6
as in to need
to have as a requirement it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right

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7
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
9
as in to stand
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend

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10
as in to believe
to regard as right or true I think we can take his word for it

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11
as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over I know we can take that team

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12
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently let's take each problem separately

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13
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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14
as in to kill
to deprive of life I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person

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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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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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3
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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4
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
The path takes you through thick greenery and hilly terrain, reminding you how much of the country’s beauty exists beyond the beach. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 After six months, DHA levels in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord increased by an average of 17% among those who took the supplement. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 14 July 2026
Noun
Auger’s cofounder and president of fashion and beauty Leigh Anne Clark offered another take. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 July 2026 This fresh take proved the franchise could go in different directions aside from comedy while still maintaining its emphasis on gnarly gore and practical effects. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
  1. hold
  2. have
  3. get
  4. choose
  5. buy
  6. need
  7. accommodate
  8. work
Verb
  • Adjacent to the tent, a small green building holds this year’s newest cannabis display and awards category, homegrown cultivation.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2026
  • That said, France were favourites in the last final and Argentina beat them, albeit by the finest of margins, recovering from the shock of Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick before holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Critically, these sporting sanctions do not apply to 2027-28 if Newcastle are profitable on football earnings in 2026-27 and have an SCR ratio below 70 per cent throughout 2026.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Griffin Conine homered and Otto Lopez had two hits for the Marlins, who also lost their last three games before the break.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • The city banned data centers near transit and the Beltline, but this one is trying to get an exception.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Residents in Congressional District 24 will get a chance to hear from candidates running to fill the seat of outgoing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson at a forum held in Little Haiti.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Eustaquio chooses to cross into a central area and Bosnia clear the ball, but the idea — to draw opponents out and create an overload in one area — was sound.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Vernon Vernon is known as the trail capital of British Columbia, and hikers, cyclists, and mountain bikers have hundreds of miles of trails to choose from.
    — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Aethon has agreed to buy back a 25% stake in Adamas, and Aethon managing director Gordon Huddleston will serve as the Adamas CEO, representing Mitsubishi’s interests.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Under the new agreement, the $14 million debt will be forgiven, and Western Hills will instead buy water based on the community's actual demand.
    — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of buy
Verb
  • Each episode gives Ossoff new material and reinforces the argument Kemp and Dooley made during the runoff that Republicans needed a political newcomer without a long record.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Young striker Jayden Danns needs to be assessed after feeling discomfort in his hamstring last week, while Kaide Gordon and Owen Beck are still undergoing rehab following injuries.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of need
Verb
  • What’s standing between the Trail Blazers and a bunch of public money for a stadium deal is their willingness to accommodate this council.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Curtis said the chain is testing menu items like Whopper Bites and protein-forward bowls, partly to accommodate the shifting tastes of GLP-1 users.
    — Hallie Jackson, NBC news, 19 July 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • The latest in Houston Salgado Araujo, 52, was driving to work with three other construction crew members when unmarked vehicles carrying federal agents began following his van, his family said.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The men who wrote the Constitution distrusted parties, but also created and worked within them.
    — Andy Craig, Washington Post, 15 July 2026
Definition of work

Phrases Containing take

Browse Nearby Words

taipans
take
take aback
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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on take

Nglish: Translation of take for Spanish Speakers

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