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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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?

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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

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 new footage, first analyzed by the investigative group Bellingcat, was taken the day the school was struck but circulated Sunday by Iran's semiofficial Mehr news agency. Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026 Set the scene Located within a two-hectare coconut grove on almost 400 feet of pristine white sand in southern Tulum, this is a place to take a step back from the rest of the world and catch your breath. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Twenty minutes into the recording, after the first take, one of the band members turned to Anders. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026 Miller doubled down on his take. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Rinehart’s vision for AI tools is commonly held among some of her peer set, but seems to focus on the thorniest and, for the moment, least useful AI applications.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Senate Democrats’ campaign arm had not included Texas in their path to the majority, instead looking to hold their current seats and flip others in Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Carmona had six goals in 102 appearances over five seasons with the Red Bulls.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That’s because local media campaigns that reflect different political ideologies and community priorities may have a better chance of influencing the public.
    Angela Hart, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Vanderbilt got as close as 11 points in the final frame, but Ole Miss was able to hold off the Commodores’ comeback bid.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
  • New graduates who could readily relocate, get roommates, or move back in with mom and dad can get away with a smaller emergency fund.
    Christine Benz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • My approach balances practicality with subtlety, choosing travel essentials that protect without advertising your valuables.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Drink coffee the Irish way Visit restaurants Holy Grail, Moerlein Lager House, Killer Queen, The Park and Jefferson Social and choose between a two-ounce tasting of a classic Irish coffee or a specialty Irish coffee.
    Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • His father bought him the plane ticket after Jeffrey found himself in a bit of a boredom rut with friends and getting into the wrong kind of trouble.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Embrace the slightly dystopian vibe and buy a bag of pellets from one of the old-timey pioneer stores to hand-feed the furry descendants.
    Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sesame’s clinicians will also stay with the patient throughout any IMI RMA procedures to help translate medical terminology, provide emotional support, and offer any other care coordination needed.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Any efforts to improve your living space may need to be run by other people, like a roommate or landlord.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Accessibility The property is constructed with ramps and elevators to accommodate guests who may require special assistance in main buildings.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • To accommodate this, a Charter amendment establishing Wellington’s official qualifying period to run for the Village Council as a two week period in November, rather than in January, is required.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Hawks worked the ball up court and got it to Webb who fake a drive to make some space and then drilled a three with 10 seconds left to retake the lead.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026
  • And though the devastation wrought by last year’s fire was unprecedented in its scale, the Schneiders remain optimistic about the future of their beloved enclave and its plucky local paper.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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