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
Relevance
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
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 up
The recovery timeline for such a procedure is typically four to six months, but in some cases, a full recovery can take up to a year.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
News round-up Frenkie de Jong has taken up a new contract at Barca, running to 2029.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
During this time, Chinese workers took up laundry work, which offered economic opportunity for the early immigrants despite legal and social hardships.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Case grows cold After the workers found the remains, the medical examiner’s office took up the case, police said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take up
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
News round-up Frenkie de Jong has taken up a new contract at Barca, running to 2029.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
During this time, Chinese workers took up laundry work, which offered economic opportunity for the early immigrants despite legal and social hardships.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Case grows cold After the workers found the remains, the medical examiner’s office took up the case, police said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take up
Verb
-
The research team also revealed that the robots can change their shape and gait to adapt to different terrains or to perform a variety of functions, such as gripping and lifting objects.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Two teaspoons of baking powder lift the dense cookie dough into puffy masterpieces.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To manage your thirst, try limiting your salt intake, drinking enough water throughout the day, and regulating your bedroom temperature.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
-
With its ever-expanding food and drink scene, Oaxaca de Juárez has rightfully earned its place as one of the world's premiere culinary destinations—so much so that it was named the best city in the world in Travel + Leisure's 2023 World's Best Awards and one of the top 5 cities in Mexico in 2025.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In this case, the buyer was able to borrow enough money from family members to buy the home in cash — with plans to take out a mortgage when the government opens again.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In borrowing from a patchwork of references, and steeping them in a brew both sacred and profane, D’Angelo was doing more than homage.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For the event, which raises money for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Gomez exuded old Hollywood elegance in a glamorous black gown featuring sparkly embellishments.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Sanders backed Platner’s campaign, and the senatorial hopeful has raised millions of dollars for his campaign.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In my case, I’ve been absorbed into a life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Satiety and Blood Sugar Drinking beverages high in carbs, and low in protein and fiber, like apple cider and apple juice, will lead to a spike in blood sugar as the sugars found in these drinks are easily and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Central Arkansas Water, the regional water utility that provides drinking water to Little Rock, chose to raise rates in January 2023, adopting a 10-year schedule of increases that runs through 2032.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
-
When the observed paths of planets became increasingly difficult to explain with a model that placed the earth at the center of the universe, eventually a new model was adopted with the sun at the center.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Utah incident showed how counter protesters, too, can elevate tensions.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Sides and sauces, each carefully chosen, elevated every meal.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While those connotations may have long since lost their relevance, contemporary designers have been embracing lace more than ever recently, filling collections in New York Bridal Fashion Week with beautiful gowns crafted in the delicate, classic material.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But Morrow argued that the military faces a massive challenge in motivating part-time troops to truly embrace physical wellness and fitness, citing psychological research.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Take up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20up. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share