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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Then, several months later, her health took another frightening turn. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 Most studio horror films don’t take anywhere near the kind of risks that this daring genre flick takes. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
Ellen Montz, who helped oversee ACA implementation in the Biden administration and is now a managing director at consultancy Manatt Health, had a different take. — Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 The asterisk here is whether the video game’s fans will fully embrace Cregger’s take. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Sep. 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
  • Jenkins brought the crowd to its feet, scrambling for a 31-yard touchdown on a third-and-7, but a holding penalty negated it.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After their arrest, Soliman and Birhane were transferred from the hotel to the La Luna police station where they are now being held.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • However, everybody should understand that every contract has a dollar amount to be paid and a scope of work to be provided.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Montgomery had a three-run double and two hits Friday, while Murakami was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • It’s marked by fear, second-guessing, and frustration, all with no guarantee that things will actually get better.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Barack Obama announced the death at 13 of Sunny, the former first pooch from his second presidential term and a Portuguese water dog who hated to get wet.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Eve is designed to complement, not replace, a wheelchair, offering another mobility option for moments when users choose to be upright.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Merz could, at least in theory, choose to turn over the task of managing his party to someone else and concentrate on running the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Though described as a sale, the transaction is financed through a mechanism known as foreign military financing, in which the United States provides the money that Israel uses to buy the weapons.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The bottles are now rationed as well, as each customer can only buy two boxes per week per membership.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of buy
Verb
  • It's meant to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor more than four years ago.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Not everything worthwhile needs to produce a skill, result, or charming anecdote.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of need
Verb
  • The kitchen is roomy enough to accommodate large groups when entertaining.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Scale is undoubtedly part of the challenge, as is ensuring the availability of the infrastructure needed to accommodate medium- and large-scale productions, strengthening technical training, and fostering talent across the industry.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • We’re known for being on time, knowing our stuff, not being crazy to work with.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2026
  • For The Times) Gladys Avyla, a member of Unite Here Local 11, has worked as a cleaner at the W Hotel in Hollywood for the last 14 years.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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