Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

take up

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of take up

1 to move from a lower to a higher place or position

  • please take up the blanket so I can look underneath it
Synonyms of take up

boost, crane, elevate, heave, heft, heighten, hike, hoist, jack (up), lift, perk (up), pick up, raise, up, uphold, uplift, upraise
Words Related to take up

ascend, mount, rise

rear, upend
Near Antonyms of take up

descend, dip, fall, pitch, plunge, slip

bear, depress, press, push

sink, submerge
Antonyms of take up

drop, lower

2 to take in (something liquid) through small openings

  • the soil was so dry that the plant seemed to take up the much-needed water instantly
Synonyms of take up

absorb, drink, imbibe, soak (up), sponge, suck (up)
Words Related to take up

gulp, guzzle, quaff, sip, slurp, swallow, swig, swill

3 to take for oneʼs own use (something originated by another)

  • one cluster of fans started chanting the team name of the champions, and the crowd quickly took up the cry
Synonyms of take up

adopt, borrow, embrace, espouse, take on
Words Related to take up

domesticate, naturalize

appropriate, arrogate, take over, usurp

absorb, assimilate, incorporate, quote

cherish, prize, treasure

cultivate, follow, heed, honor

use, utilize

bring up, foster, nurture, raise, rear

affect, assume, copy, imitate, pretend, put on, simulate
Phrases Synonymous with take up

pick up on
Near Antonyms of take up

abandon, forsake, give up, relinquish, surrender

abjure, abnegate, disown

reject, renounce, repudiate, spurn

discard, jettison, junk, throw away, throw out

Learn More about take up

  1. See words that rhyme with take up Dictionary: Definition of take up Medical Dictionary: Definition of take up Nglish: Translation of take up for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of take up for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up take up? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games