take 1 of 2

verb

ˈtāk How to pronounce take (audio)
Definition of takenext
1
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms take my hand, or we'll get separated in this crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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2
as in to have
to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly will you take that call? took a cut in pay

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3
as in to get
to become affected with (a disease or disorder) if you don't cover your head in this weather, you'll take cold and be stuck inside all weekend

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4
as in to choose
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities you can take the white side this time, since I got to be white for our last chess game

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5
as in to buy
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please

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6
as in to need
to have as a requirement it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right

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7
as in to accommodate
to make or have room for I think we can take two more in this elevator

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8
as in to work
to produce a desired effect it will be a few hours before this medication takes

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9
as in to stand
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend

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10
as in to believe
to regard as right or true I think we can take his word for it

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11
as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over I know we can take that team

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12
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently let's take each problem separately

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13
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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14
as in to kill
to deprive of life I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person

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take

2 of 2

noun

1
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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2
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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3
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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4
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
Among them, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand opted against taking what was effectively a demotion, with play-calling duties going to a more veteran coach (eventually, Frank Reich), and left, too. — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Steven Porter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Harvard said the process of distributing funds is expected to take several months. — CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
The series has drawn early comparisons to True Detective and is quite a different take than the Reynolds film, which famously bombed at the box office. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 Engineers tested how its combustion, fuel delivery and control systems performed as operating conditions changed from take-off through cruise and landing. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
  1. hold
  2. have
  3. get
  4. choose
  5. buy
  6. need
  7. accommodate
  8. work
Verb
  • In China, anyone who holds a position of authority is almost certainly a party member, and being kicked out of the party means the end of one’s political career.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Qatar’s armed forces captured and are holding three Iranian pilots who went missing in March when their jets were downed, the Missing Persons Committee of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • This assortment features best sellers including the 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra, which has support, comfort adjustable straps and no-show double-layer back.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • White Water's diminutive cocktail bar has awesome bottled cocktails served in proper glassware that make for the perfect sundowner to carry across the boardwalk to soak up golden hour over the Pacific.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of have
Verb
  • Side effects were similar to other vaccines that people typically get for other diseases, Healy noted.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Lions lead back is sure to get as many or more touches this year with David Montgomery gone, and Detroit’s offense will score points.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of get
Verb
  • Well-known for his penmanship of the Ferrari Enzo over 25 years ago, Japanese designer Ken Okuyama chose the glamorous surroundings of Monterey Car Week to unveil his latest—and perhaps most ambitious—creation, the Kode89.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Election officials are reminding voters that Election Day voting differs from early voting because voters cannot simply choose any polling location.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of choose
Verb
  • Schwab investors continued to buy in July despite a choppy market backdrop, lifting the Schwab Trading Activity Index, known as STAX, for a third straight month and bringing it to its highest level since January 2022.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Through a federal program known as 340B, created in 1992 to subsidize the treatment of low-income patients, hospitals that treat a certain percentage of low-income patients can buy drugs at a steep discount, while charging insurers or patients more.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of buy
Verb
  • But there is a deeper question of why a modern tech company, especially an AI company, would need to soften their image with cotton and canvas.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The National Tunnel needs a 295-foot steel liner, similar to work used to repair the Greer Tunnel two years ago in Peters Township.
    — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of need
Verb
  • The state has allocated 4,845 units to Newport Beach to plan for, but the city has approved zoning and development standards that could accommodate up to 8,174 new homes.
    — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Games will also need to accommodate millions of fans traveling around Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of accommodate
Verb
  • After working around the clock for the better part of a week toward an interim bilateral trade deal, trade officials from the United States and Canada may have reached a consensus that will stave off a fresh round of punishing tariffs.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In a country where current and former governors command massive grassroots support and are often accused of working with local electoral officials to manipulate election results, analysts say the defections could work in Tinubu’s favor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of work

Phrases Containing take

Browse Nearby Words

taipans
take
take aback
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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on take

Nglish: Translation of take for Spanish Speakers

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