TAKES UP Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

takes up

verb

present tense third-person singular of take up

as in lifts

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

as in drinks

to take in (something liquid) through small openings the soil was so dry that the plant seemed to take up the much-needed water instantly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in borrows

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 takes up Repairs, replacement parts and the physical space each piece takes up all factor into the true cost of ownership. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026 Hospital care takes up the biggest share of healthcare expenditures. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The only downside was its size and weight, as it was primarily designed for home use, but no one wants to travel with a gadget that takes up half a suitcase. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 20 June 2026 Pratt also led the pack in the 5th District, which takes up much of the Westside and is represented by Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky. — Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026 Limit Your Denim Denim takes up a surprising amount of room. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026 Dark wood furniture swallows light and takes up floor space in hallways. — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 7 June 2026 Because uranium hydride takes up more volume than the original uranium metal, internal pressure increases. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026 Auoon Clip-On Pot Strainer This clever clip-on pot strainer takes up less space in the cabinet and the dishwasher, and makes quick work of straining pasta water, washing fruit and vegetables, and more. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes up

Verb

Stand at the boat ramp below the hillside at first light, and the steam lifts off the current in slow curtains while birds cut silhouettes through a sky that has no business being that beautiful.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
The marketing style resonates equality across age groups and lifts purchase intent.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of lifts

Verb

At one point, Jiavani, alone in Room 1 for a round of Count the Rice, just dumps all the rice into her Room 2 mocktail and drinks it.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Some of the signature drinks on the menu include an iced pistachio latte, an iced Turkish coffee and an iced rose latte.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of drinks

Verb

If someone borrows equipment or asks for help, set clear terms that feel fair.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
One amendment requires proceeds from the future sale of the city’s current police headquarters to be used to pay down the bond debt or reduce the amount the city borrows.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of borrows

Verb

Analysts said the persistence of such underlying weakness also raises the question of whether Chinese officials will turn to more fiscal stimulus to try and boost domestic spending.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Diaz's go-to no-gear routine is one minute of squats, one minute of high knees, and one minute of calf raises.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026

Definition of raises

Verb

Buettner said the overnight cooling makes the rice starch resistant, so the body absorbs it more slowly and blood sugar does not spike.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
As fission reactions occur, a large amount of heat is generated, which the water absorbs to keep the fuel rods cool.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of absorbs

Verb

Pittsburg should also implement a moratorium on new data center applications and approvals, including on future phases within Technology Park until the city adopts a data center ordinance with public input, said the coalition.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
After her mother’s death—Krypto adopts Kara during the funeral procession—Zor-El sends them both off to join Kal-El on Earth.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 July 2026

Definition of adopts

Verb

In a flashback to the previous day, Lucky embraces her husband, Cary (Drew Starkey), on the balcony of their massive hotel suite in Las Vegas.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
But in my opinion, the change is going to come when a 17- or 18-year-old understands or sees that movement, embraces it, and brings it to the forefront.

— Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 14 July 2026