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

2 of 2

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
The first stage, from Paris to Lyon, is 467 kilometers long, and takes 17 hours and 45 minutes, riding both day and night. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Aurélien Tchouaméni passed to Olise, who nutmegged Lagerbielke, and Barcola took a centering touch and sent the ball past Zetterström's outstretched right hand. CBS News, 1 July 2026
Noun
The prohibitions only apply to the sale of alcohol for take-home consumption, meaning that people are still permitted to purchase alcohol at bars and restaurants. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 Thursday’s game showed how reality is a lot different from these takes folks been having. Kansas City Star, 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
  • One thing everyone agrees on, though, is that airfare is likely to keep getting more expensive.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • And the research proves that this type of bias is only getting worse.
    Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Old borrowers may need to consolidate loans, choose new repayment plans or risk being involuntarily placed in one that may not fit their budget, loan experts said.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Design is what decides whether a person can do their best work, find the thread to something larger, and choose without leaving.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • For the superstar whose private jet is tracked, whose every appearance is documented and whose movements become global headlines within minutes, an arena transformed into a private world may be the closest thing to privacy that money can buy.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Douek swooped in to buy the iconic sign, with the proceeds going to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit that provides food relief.
    Alys Martinez, CBS News, 1 July 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
  • She has also been spotted working as a substitute anchor for various personnel, particularly on weekends.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • While bouncing between the G League and the NBA, James worked with coaches on developing his shooting confidence, quick decision-making and defensive ability.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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