1
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
please take up the blanket so I can look underneath it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to borrow
to take for one's 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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of take up
With four Swiss cities taking up a huge portion of the top 10, the United Kingdom’s capital is the only other European city on this list.
—
Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026
Hand-skeletonizing a movement in this way can take up to a month—and leaves no margin for error.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Four took up redistricting voluntarily, one was required to by its state constitution and another did so under court order.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The city council will take up the issue April 21.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take up
Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026
Hand-skeletonizing a movement in this way can take up to a month—and leaves no margin for error.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Four took up redistricting voluntarily, one was required to by its state constitution and another did so under court order.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
The city council will take up the issue April 21.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take up
Verb
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Hired by Hornets co-owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin in April 2024 to bring the franchise out of its decade-long doldrum, and joined at the hip with coach Charles Lee, Peterson has quickly lifted the Hornets to respectability, pushing Charlotte among the NBA’s rising teams.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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Andrés Giménez chased after one above the zone, lifting a shallow fly ball that Teoscar Hernández could corral without allowing a run to score.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This spring cocktail is almost too pretty to drink.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
10 Apr. 2026
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Visitors who want to drink beer can buy tickets for $60, which includes access to the craft beer festival and a sample glass, along with a tote bag with one prize egg and a T-shirt.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent — to borrow RuPaul’s mantra (the lipsynch-for-your-lifeboats number is a highlight) — the comic ensemble makes the gags work by sheer will.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
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Tommy borrows all of Greg’s toiletries and immediately misplaces them.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Perhaps the easiest way to start an argument online is to post a video of a mother raising her child.—
Micah Barkley,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
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Political parties were disincentivized from forming coalitions—which might have unified the anti-Orbán vote—by incrementally raising the threshold required for alliances to enter Parliament.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trees then absorb this radioactive isotope, locking a chemical time stamp of the solar storm into their annual growth rings.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
10 Apr. 2026
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Past technological revolutions allowed generations to absorb the shock.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The shelter is adopting out the remaining chihuahuas (Fieto, Baby, Lola and Missy) in pairs.—
Amanda Rosa
April 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Trump compared Starmer's approach to Iran to former United Kingdom Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who adopted an appeasement policy toward Nazi Germany during World War II.—
Elaine Mallon,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or, for your next airport outfit, opt for a drapey button-down, buttery-soft joggers, and a roomy crossbody bag that keeps your essentials close while elevating your entire look.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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Space agency officials’ blood pressure was further elevated as experts closely watched the performance of the craft’s heat shield, which astronauts rely on to slow them down and keep temperatures livable.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 18 minutes, Ingles totaled seven points, four rebounds and four assists while being embraced by his former teammates and coaches throughout the night.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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Many are financed through crowdfunding, with subscribers garnering exclusive perks, and embrace subtitles and alternate audio (a series like the Japanese cyberpunk Milky Subway is dubbed in 10 different languages).—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Take up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20up. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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