1
as in giving way (to)
to find emotional release for
he took out his frustrations by splitting a cord of firewood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in going out (with)
to go on a social engagement with
she'd like to take the new boy out to the movies sometime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in removing
to take away from a place or position
the airline passenger took his laptop computer out of its carrying case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
the rumor is that the CIA is planning to take him out before he can seize control of the country
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 taking out
Then, Sky slammed Asuka and jumped off the table, taking out Asuka with a crossbody block.
—
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Instead of slaying a burgundy and blue dragon by taking out the Avs’ second-best player, the Wild officially woke up the beast.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Since this will require taking out a new loan to pay off the existing one (homeowners keep the difference as cash), a mortgage rate exchange will inevitably occur.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Junior Caminero singled, and manager Kevin Cash took somewhat of a gamble by taking out his top slugger to Richie Palacios could pinch run.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The Golden Bears, looking for their first NCAA title, knocked off Hawaii, 15-10, in a quarterfinal before taking out top-seeded defending champion Stanford, 13-11, in the semifinals to advance to their second final in three seasons.
—Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
She was also found guilty of insurance fraud for taking out a $100,000 insurance policy on her husband's life with his forged signature and also for submitting a claim following his death.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Three years later, Williams became the first Black woman since Althea Gibson in 1958 to hoist Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish after taking out defending champion Lindsay Davenport.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Instead of slaying a burgundy and blue dragon by taking out the Avs’ second-best player, the Wild officially woke up the beast.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Since this will require taking out a new loan to pay off the existing one (homeowners keep the difference as cash), a mortgage rate exchange will inevitably occur.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Junior Caminero singled, and manager Kevin Cash took somewhat of a gamble by taking out his top slugger to Richie Palacios could pinch run.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
The Golden Bears, looking for their first NCAA title, knocked off Hawaii, 15-10, in a quarterfinal before taking out top-seeded defending champion Stanford, 13-11, in the semifinals to advance to their second final in three seasons.
—Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
She was also found guilty of insurance fraud for taking out a $100,000 insurance policy on her husband's life with his forged signature and also for submitting a claim following his death.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Three years later, Williams became the first Black woman since Althea Gibson in 1958 to hoist Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish after taking out defending champion Lindsay Davenport.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking out
Verb
-
Allow these to regrow and form new plants after removing all the dead.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
On Saturday, that included removing Jake LaRavia from the rotation entirely as rookie forward Adou Thiero became the Lakers’ third player off the bench and veteran big man Maxi Kleber moved into the rotation as the ninth option.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The story follows a respected college basketball coach who is accused of murdering his mistress.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
-
Smith was convicted and sentenced to life for murdering her sons.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Alejandra’s profound desire to become a mother—and the heartbreak and pressure that engulf her after multiple miscarriages—drive her to fake a pregnancy, unleashing a media scandal and a moral reckoning.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Israel responded with overwhelming force, unleashing a barrage of airstrikes on southern Lebanon and areas around its capital Beirut and later launching the ongoing ground invasion.—
April 27,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No Doubt's Adrian Young, Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont tour The No Doubt Experience, the immersive fan pop-up accompanying their Las Vegas residency at Sphere.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
The accompanying bathroom sports dual quartz vanities and an oversize porcelain shower topped by an arched clerestory window.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump has also floated the possibility of withdrawing from NATO and threatened to pull troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
8 May 2026
-
Trump’s Gaza plan, which Israel and Hamas agreed to in October, involves Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and reconstruction starting as Hamas lays down its weapons.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Mangione is accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.—
Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
Making a disgusting joke about assassinating the President #2.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gary Stern, who served as general counsel of the National Archives for twenty-six years, collaborated with five Administrations—from Bill Clinton’s to Joe Biden’s—on preserving and releasing Presidential records.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
For the record, Achane probably can’t sign a contract extension until June 2, at the earliest, when the Dolphins get money freed up from releasing edge rusher Bradley Chubb, who was designated as a June 1 cut.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The research suggests that staving off loneliness requires putting away our devices and connecting with other people in person.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
And the bullpen highlighted by Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg augmented by the addition of Matt Strahm figures to give them an advantage in putting away games.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20out. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
