TAKING DOWN Synonyms: 150 Similar and Opposite Words

taking down

verb

present participle of take down

as in humiliating

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes there's no need to take us down by making fun of our clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knocking down

to take apart electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in recording

to make a written note of took down the customer's contact information

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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 down Crews began taking down the remainder of the building Tuesday night, to prevent sections from falling onto power lines, the station said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026 Billie’s obsession with taking down Priscilla constantly puts her team in peril, because being so laser-focused on one thing clouds the bigger picture. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 Worlds of Fun visitors posted photos on Facebook on June 30 of a construction crew taking down the Cosmic Coaster. — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Following his arrest, Vance and his co-conspirators destroyed evidence by deleting phone messages and taking down the two websites, the plea agreement says. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 The ensuing public backlash led the Senate on Wednesday to unanimously agree with a measure that would block the government from taking down the OOI. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 18 June 2026 The board authorized the change to the uniform 80 mph speed limit in a 3-2 vote, directing ITD staff to begin taking down the truck speed limit signs. — Rose Evans updated June 18, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2026 The Paraguayans will be making their return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010, and have been giant killers throughout their qualifying rounds, taking down the likes of South American heavyweights Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. — Austin Perry, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 Among the most controversial aspects of the foundation’s plans — and part of what inspired a lawsuit — were taking down old-growth trees on the site in Jackson Park. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking down

Verb

The Iranians are now setting the terms of this conflict and are routinely humiliating the American president.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Definition of humiliating

Verb

Winds gusted up to 80 miles per hour, bowing palm trees and knocking down power lines that sparked the fires.

— Angus Chen, STAT, 22 July 2026
The pair of earthquakes struck on June 24, knocking down buildings, sending residents fleeing for safety and trapping some survivors under the rubble for days.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of knocking down

Verb

McCray has shown off the breadth of his physical tools during this homestand, recording both a steal and an outfield assist in Friday’s win over the Angels.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Arozarena has been crafty on the base paths, recording 19 steals on 25 attempts.

— Data Skrive, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of recording

Verb

Kiryl Pazniak, 49, who hosted a popular political show on YouTube, has been convicted on the charges of discrediting Belarus and forming an extremist organization, the group said — accusations widely used by authorities to stifle critical voices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Defense attorney Tom Mesereau was an expert at discrediting witnesses, subjects told the filmmakers, but certain key witnesses, like Janet Arvizo, struggled to connect with the jury on their own.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

Definition of discrediting

Verb

Iger proceeded to restructure the company, dismantling the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution Division.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Another project with Rochester Institute of Technology and Goodwill of the Finger Lakes will center on a system for sorting and dismantling textile waste for recycling.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 27 July 2026

Definition of dismantling

Verb

Identity systems, logging mechanisms and API integrations form a web where a single misconfiguration, vulnerability or cross-border connection can cascade across tenants and borders.

— Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The Hornets’ 2025 NBA Draft class received plenty of playing time over the past week-plus, logging extensive minutes.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Definition of logging

Verb

Kyiv’s forces have targeted Russian oil facilities, causing fuel shortages and embarrassing President Vladimir Putin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Benefield alleged her stepmother began isolating her from her father, blaming her for household conflicts, reading her private journal, publicly embarrassing her and seeking to push her out of the family dynamic.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

Your liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and filtering them out of the body, essentially detoxifying you from harmful substances and chemicals.

— Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026
Dulce now asks for her father every night, Rojas said, breaking down in tears.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 16 July 2026