1
as in lifted
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 borrowed
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 taken up
So my attention was taken up with wiping off the counter and the tiles, and remaking the coffee.
—
Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
His wife, Erika Kirk, has since taken up the mantel of spearheading his organization, Turning Point USA, and has committed to keeping his legacy alive.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This simple idea, of searching for an answer, can be taken up a level — to much, much bigger maps, and to much harder problems than navigation, such as solving a complex puzzle or proving difficult mathematical theorems.
—Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025
However, this time it is taken up a notch by adding egg noodles, making for a tasty and complete meal with little hands-on time.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
The legislation already passed the Senate in April with a 51-48 vote, but was not taken up by the House.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
However, those efforts petered out in 2023 and haven’t been taken up since.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 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
However, the World Health Organization says the two-drug regimen can be taken up until the 12-week mark of pregnancy.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
His wife, Erika Kirk, has since taken up the mantel of spearheading his organization, Turning Point USA, and has committed to keeping his legacy alive.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
This simple idea, of searching for an answer, can be taken up a level — to much, much bigger maps, and to much harder problems than navigation, such as solving a complex puzzle or proving difficult mathematical theorems.
—Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025
However, this time it is taken up a notch by adding egg noodles, making for a tasty and complete meal with little hands-on time.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
The legislation already passed the Senate in April with a 51-48 vote, but was not taken up by the House.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
However, those efforts petered out in 2023 and haven’t been taken up since.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 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
However, the World Health Organization says the two-drug regimen can be taken up until the 12-week mark of pregnancy.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken up
Verb
-
The year the ban lifted, Trier became the country’s national champion, specializing in rugged stunts using infrastructure like rails and stairs.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Then finally, in 2023, the bans were lifted.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Let stand, stirring occasionally, until stock is absorbed, about 5 minutes.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
-
That changed around 2019, when Fonseca sat absorbed as Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in a Wimbledon final lasting four hours and 57 minutes – the longest final in the tournament’s history.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To further enrage Predator purists, Thia and Dek adopt a cuddly little monkey-ish creature as their companion, a CGI bit of whimsy seemingly borrowed from Pixar.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The name of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios exhibition was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets in the Houston Astrodome.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Political leaders and many social media users raised questions about the effectiveness of flood preparations.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Biden then raised this handout to $130.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was later adopted and raised by his grandmother.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The bounty hunter kills some random dudes who are dumb enough to cross him and steals a Falka doll from some little girls who have adopted the Rats as folk heroes.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There, surrounded by mobsters, the future moviemaker embraced Catholicism and the Italian code of omertà.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Meghann Fahy Fahy embraced romantic sensibility in her look from Chloé’s fall 2025 collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In popular discourse, the word has taken on a life of its own, as an insult deployed without clear reference to any theory of psychology.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
-
He was diagnosed with a right thigh injury and will have scans taken on Saturday.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken%20up. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share