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

Pear and white-peach notes meet the prawn’s sweetness, and grapefruit lifts the broth.

— Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Joyous Jupiter lifts your 9th House of Travel and Learning, while elusive Neptune inspires your 5th House of Creativity.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

Definition of lifts

Verb

That raises concerns about how organizations secure environments used for model development, testing, and evaluation.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
But that usually happens before a company gains substantial traction and raises a significant amount of money.

— Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of raises

Verb

For watering, fill the central cup formed by the plant’s leaves with fresh water, as the plant absorbs moisture through its foliage.

— Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
Be especially generous with the parsley, mint and other fresh herbs; the couscous readily absorbs their flavors, ensuring that every forkful is fragrant, lively and refreshing.

— Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 21 July 2026

Definition of absorbs

Verb

The Premier League adopts the same finance control framework this season, but clubs not in European competitions will instead work to an 85 per cent cap.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
What to read next But the show also adopts a pretty liberal approach to the source material.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of adopts

Verb

Joshua takes on heavyweight contender Kristian Prenga in the main event of an overall strong card.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Charlize Theron, who takes on the role of the temptress nymph Calypso, has leaned toward the seductive, wearing Tom Ford short-shorts on one carpet and a black Givenchy dress with a thigh-high slit on another.

— Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 20 July 2026