Thesaurus

take

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

Save Word

Synonyms & Antonyms of take

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 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 for take

Words Related to take

Phrases Synonymous with take

Near Antonyms for take

2 to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly

will you take that call?

took a cut in pay

Synonyms for take

accept,
have

Words Related to take

Near Antonyms for take

Antonyms for take

3 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

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

break out (with)

Near Antonyms for take

4 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

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

preselect

settle (on or upon)

Near Antonyms for take

Antonyms for take

5 to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for

I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please

Synonyms for take

buy,
cop
[slang],
pick up,
purchase

Words Related to take

bid,
offer

rebuy,
repurchase

Near Antonyms for take

6 to have as a requirement

it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

entail,
involve

hurt (for),
lack

Phrases Synonymous with take

call for

Near Antonyms for take

own,
possess

Antonyms for take

have,
hold

7 to make or have room for

I think we can take two more in this elevator

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

harbor,
house

8 to produce a desired effect

it will be a few hours before this medication takes

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

Phrases Synonymous with take

Near Antonyms for take

backfire

fizzle

9 to put up with (something painful or difficult)

I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend

Synonyms for take

abide,
absorb,
accept,
bear,
bide
[chiefly dialect],
brook,
countenance,
endure,
go,
hack,
handle,
meet,
pocket,
stand,
stick out,
stomach,
support,
sustain,
sweat out,
tolerate,
wear
[British]

Words Related to take

reconcile (to)

Phrases Synonymous with take

Near Antonyms for take

10 to regard as right or true

I think we can take his word for it

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

Phrases Synonymous with take

set store by
(or set store on)

Near Antonyms for take

challenge,
dispute

Antonyms for take

11 to achieve a victory over

I know we can take that team

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

sweep

edge (out),
nose out,
pip
[British]

Phrases Synonymous with take

Near Antonyms for take

Antonyms for take

lose (to)

12 to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

let's take each problem separately

Synonyms for take

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Phrases Synonymous with take

Near Antonyms for take

13 to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to

the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

entertain,
welcome

fellowship

confirm,
ratify

Near Antonyms for take

Antonyms for take

ban,
bar

14 to deprive of life

I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

bump off,
butcher,
cut down,
finish,
get,
ice
[slang],
knock off,
murder,
neutralize,
off
[slang],
put away,
rub out,
scrag,
snuff,
take out,
waste,
whack
[slang]

suicide

Phrases Synonymous with take

do away with,
do for
[chiefly British],
make away with

Near Antonyms for take

nurture

Antonyms for take

animate

take

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of take (Entry 2 of 2)

1 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?

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

backlash,
kickback

rebound

recoil,
reflex

revulsion,
rise

Near Antonyms for take

action,
behavior

cause,
effect

2 the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time

who will win the poker tournament and collect the whole take?

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

Near Antonyms for take

3 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

Synonyms for take

Words Related to take

lot,
ration

Phrases Synonymous with take

piece of the action

Near Antonyms for take

whole

4 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 for take

Words Related to take

version

Frequently Asked Questions About take

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