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

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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

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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

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 resort's short course, The Clutch, takes full advantage of the scenic setting, and fishing charters and nature tours are available from the marina. Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026 Meanwhile, officials have urged residents to take precautions such as locking their doors and windows to prevent bears entering their homes, and to avoid putting their trash out at night. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Noun
Apple Martin, 22, could pass as her mom Gwyneth Paltrow's twin, and the model's latest Instagram post has her followers doing double-takes. Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 June 2026 This riveting two-part docuseries preceded the fictional take seen in The Girl From Plainville, taking an unprejudiced and empathetic approach when exploring the complex case, presenting all the facts without vilifying one individual. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Mesa Verde continues to hold great cultural significance for the 27 pueblos and tribes whose ancestors once called the canyons, farms, cliffside and mesa dwellings home or who have other ties to the area.
    Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • She was being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on June 30.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Each puzzle has exactly one solution, so watch out for words or items that seem to belong to multiple categories!
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 8 June 2026
  • The designer, who graduated from Polimoda in Florence in 2015, also had a stint at Chanel.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Serna, however, would make one more attempt to get past Hulst.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • Just the way his approach is getting better and better every day.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • The forest borders Yellowstone National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest, so many choose to call it a home base during their treks to the aforementioned areas.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • There is a lot of tequila out there to choose from, and some brands—shockingly—don’t even have a celebrity, actor, or athlete backing them.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Guy Curtis bought Seattle’s seminal grunge venue, the Central Saloon, in 1989.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • In some states, players can also buy tickets online.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • But after struggling on the road before losing consecutive games at home against Las Vegas and Dallas amid a three-game losing streak, the Sparks needed something to go right.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Obviously, there are multiple things in this outing that need to be cleaned up.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The gentler ride on family coasters also helps accommodate older visitors who might not be comfortable with more intense coasters anymore.
    Robert Niles, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • The camp could not accommodate detainees using wheelchairs and had no showers compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, resulting in the disabled being held in medical care rooms.
    Michael Biesecker, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • The walk-off home run came after the bullpen of the Twins (27-31) had worked four scoreless innings, taking over after a four-inning start from Taj Bradley.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
  • Ciber ’s team work quickly under netting to mount a huge Browning heavy machine gun onto tank tracks.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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