1
as in held
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in had
to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly
will you take that call? took a cut in pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in got
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in selected
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bought
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in required
to have as a requirement
it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in performed
to produce a desired effect
it will be a few hours before this medication takes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in stood
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in believed
to regard as right or true
I think we can take his word for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in stopped
to achieve a victory over
I know we can take that team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in treated
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
let's take each problem separately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in received
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
14
as in destroyed
to deprive of life
I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person
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 taken
Martinez was aiming to become the eighth Coloradoan since 2014 to win titles in four different weight classes, having taken the 130-pound crown in ’23; the 135-pound title in ’24; and the 140-pound championship last year.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
Each day, Times newsletter editor Houston Mitchell will select a favorite photo from the many Gauthier has taken.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
As gas and other utility bills in Massachusetts remain among the highest in the nation, state legislature has still taken no action to repeal the Gas System Improvement Plan, and has yet to implement any substantial or effective policies to combat soaring energy bills.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Eco effort While sustainability isn’t the headline here, the hotel has taken meaningful steps behind the scenes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
All four companies have taken steps to improve safety, including by introducing parental controls tools, adding privacy settings for young users, increasing content restrictions and offering options to limit notifications or time spent scrolling.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
But the agency has taken a different approach to drinking water.
—Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
With this iteration, the league is hoping that national pride and novelty will lead to entertaining hoops -- but injuries have taken a toll even before the ball is tipped.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
This was the first year online reservations were taken and many of the 218 Waffle House locations taking part were booked by the end of last week, according to spokesperson Kelly Bruner.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
Each day, Times newsletter editor Houston Mitchell will select a favorite photo from the many Gauthier has taken.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
As gas and other utility bills in Massachusetts remain among the highest in the nation, state legislature has still taken no action to repeal the Gas System Improvement Plan, and has yet to implement any substantial or effective policies to combat soaring energy bills.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Eco effort While sustainability isn’t the headline here, the hotel has taken meaningful steps behind the scenes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
All four companies have taken steps to improve safety, including by introducing parental controls tools, adding privacy settings for young users, increasing content restrictions and offering options to limit notifications or time spent scrolling.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
But the agency has taken a different approach to drinking water.
—Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
With this iteration, the league is hoping that national pride and novelty will lead to entertaining hoops -- but injuries have taken a toll even before the ball is tipped.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
This was the first year online reservations were taken and many of the 218 Waffle House locations taking part were booked by the end of last week, according to spokesperson Kelly Bruner.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Shooter entered arena with two guns According to police, the shooter was a licensed gun owner and had a permit to carry out of Florida.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For over a century, college football had regional identities.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Wemby got his painfully cool peers to play along, to pick up the tempo – and their defense, often at half court.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As a plant biologist, Kato knew that bioplastics could be made from plants and got curious about the possibilities.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Chula Vista City Council last week selected six finalists to interview for three public member positions on the South County Higher Education Task Force, a body created to advance efforts to bring a four-year public university to the region.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Harrison remains free on bail and is required to undergo electronic monitoring and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, according to the District Attorney’s Office.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Wooden’s home is now decorated with a pyramid of poop, and one wonders how many humiliations will be required to convince administrators to clean things up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Skaters make sure the dresses fit OK before McKinnon and her four-person seamstress team add sparkle, which usually means a crystal count in the thousands.—
Patrice Hutton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The race begins with a rigorous climb up a mountain on skis fitted with a special fabric skin that grips the snow as the athletes sprint uphill.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Despite having the latest safety gear and being in a group of other experienced riders, as well as the assistance of an off-duty Truckee fire department medic, who performed CPR, Thomason did not survive.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
As more Americans moved into cities and more families bought cars, fewer kids walked miles to school or performed farm chores.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Later that day, Jackson stood once again on the Lorraine Motel balcony at the National Civil Rights Museum during its annual commemoration, sitting in the front row as nearly 500 people gathered for music, speeches and a solemn wreath‑laying ceremony honoring King’s life.—
Diana Leyva,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
17 Feb. 2026
-
One model who stood her ground and refused part of a makeover was Cycle 6’s Dani Evans.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
