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?

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

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
Okay, so the AI took it upon itself to blackmail the person. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Officers received information about his identity, and he was located and taken into custody, police said. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
Noun
As a creator and somebody who is in the unscripted world, what has your take been on social media taking over Hollywood? Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026 In the studio, she was known for refusing to give more than a couple of takes, which sometimes caused producers to complain to Davis. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Those arrested for criminal conduct must be held accountable in our court system.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026
  • The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • The sport has a big future because of you guys.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • The land at Aqueduct is ready to go, no need for demolition, no need to remove and remediate dangerous industrial waste like other sites have.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The Property Brothers star, 48, got candid about previously letting his work bleed too much into his home life, to the point where his 4-year-old son, Parker, started noticing.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • The small island nation off the western coast of Africa, which is making its debut on soccer’s grandest stage, already held 2010 champion Spain to a 0-0 draw and then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay.
    Kristie Rieken, AJC.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • As cruise lines invest heavily in wellness, onboard spas are becoming a major reason travelers choose one ship over another.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • If a purchase or repair is overdue, take the initiative and choose the solid option while keeping receipts and expectations tidy.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • The de Kansky family settled in California, first in Los Angeles, then in Newport Beach, followed by three years in Altadena before buying a home in Sierra Madre.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Thibodeau refused to buy in, so a change came.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Of those, about 116,000 homes are needed at rents below $1,300 per month.
    Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
  • Given the scale of the tragedy and the size of its foreign debt, Venezuela needs far more than the aid now arriving to assist those affected and rebuild its infrastructure.
    Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • While earlier concepts called for flip-up chairback seating throughout the stadium, engineers determined the historic venue's existing structure could not accommodate those seats without significantly reducing capacity or requiring major reconstruction.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • The Department of Homeland Security is changing the guidelines for Iran’s national soccer team ahead of its third World Cup match on Friday to accommodate extra time afforded to other countries in the tournament, an agency spokesperson said.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • With curved teardrop shapes, floral accents, and leaf motifs, its design works especially well for the spring and summer seasons, though its abstract, ornamental pattern can be displayed during cooler months as well.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
  • Bowie worked as a driver at Interfaith Medical Center.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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