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

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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

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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 As the oceans absorb much of this excess heat, warmer seawater expands and takes up more space, while melting glaciers and ice sheets add even more water. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes up

Verb

SpaceX's Starship rocket lifts off from Starbase, Texas, as seen from South Padre Island on August 26, 2025, for its tenth test flight.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026
In one of the most memorable panels in superherocomic history, Bane, having beaten Batman down in his own Batcave, lifts the hero over his head and slams him down over his knee, breaking his back.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifts

Verb

On the palate, first sips are remarkably soft and approachable, and Hyperion drinks a touch below its 110 proof.

— David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Then there are the other small appliances that have remained in their original boxes since your bridal shower, the dozens of reusable water bottles that no one ever drinks from, and the mysterious gadget that permanently lives in the utensil drawer.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of drinks

Verb

Insulin Resistance Trends monitors your heart rhythm, daily movement, and sleep quality, and uses AI to assess how well your body absorbs and uses energy.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Despite its creamier texture, the moisturizer absorbs quickly—especially if your skin is parched—and doesn’t leave behind any residue.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorbs

Verb

The Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low Black Camo adopts a grayscale camouflage across its entire upper.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026
Track mode instead adopts a longer, more progressive throttle map intended to provide greater precision when driving at the limit.

— Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopts

Verb

If no candidate secures a majority of the vote in Tuesday's primary, the contest could head to a runoff later this month to determine who takes on Democrat Annie Andrews in November.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Shadowbox takes on management of Kaufman Astoria after a tumultuous period at the studios.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026