1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in knocking down
to take apart
electricians will take down all the lights for the set after the play has finished its run
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in recording
to make a written note of
took down the customer's contact information
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The New York Giants recorded their first win of the 2025 NFL season in Week 4, taking down the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 on Sunday.
—
Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Dual katanas are strong against polearms while odachis specialize in taking down adversaries wielding heavy weapons.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Mississippi State takes this week's biggest jump after taking down Arizona State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Many involve sneaking into a location, silently taking down guards and, if your cover is blown, blasting your way through.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In search of new hits to compliment existing Paramount+ franchises such as Star Trek and the Taylor Sherdian universe, Holland is taking down the walls for outside studios.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Dual katanas are strong against polearms while odachis specialize in taking down adversaries wielding heavy weapons.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Mississippi State takes this week's biggest jump after taking down Arizona State.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Many involve sneaking into a location, silently taking down guards and, if your cover is blown, blasting your way through.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
In search of new hits to compliment existing Paramount+ franchises such as Star Trek and the Taylor Sherdian universe, Holland is taking down the walls for outside studios.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking down
Verb
-
This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Dodgers’ bullpen has become the problem child at daycare, knocking down the blocks stacked up by other kids.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Building it—the final phase of the project—will likely require knocking down some adjacent apartment buildings and displacing residents.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One play after recording an interception, Casarez-McCampbell found senior Ben Thrun breaking free on a 40-yard touchdown catch.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
James had been a dominant presence during the Chargers’ 20-9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2, recording seven tackles.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Further discrediting itself, Thursday’s writeup includes a marketing pitch for the SquareX platform.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Wolfenbarger’s defense attorneys began to focus on discrediting Norma as a witness after prosecutors relied on her testimony to show the jury that her daughter Melissa had allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before her 1998 disappearance, according to WSB-TV.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After dismantling the lowly Tennessee Titans in Week 3, the Colts will have a tougher matchup in Week 4 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, who had the defending champs on the ropes last week before Philly staged a late comeback.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The New York Declaration outlines a comprehensive framework for ending Israel’s military operations in Gaza, returning the remaining hostages, dismantling Hamas, and rebuilding the strip and backs these steps with security guarantees and initiatives to boost regional integration.—
SHIRA EFRON,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After logging nine points and having a plus-minus rating of minus-6 in 21 regular-season games, Jones logged nine points (four goals, five assists) and had a plus-11 rating in 23 Stanley Cup playoff games while averaging a team-high 25 minutes 30 seconds of ice time per game.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
-
They also can be accessed by logging in on a web browser.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
No one had fooled Coppola into embarrassing himself publicly — although there’s always a risk, when a powerful figure surrounds himself with yes-people, that no one is left to push back and challenge his choices.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
-
This still was a much stronger performance by the Fins than last week’s embarrassing 33-8 defeat in Indianapolis, but that was a low bar to leap.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Suitable for use on double spinner wheels, the rubber covers slip directly onto the exterior of the wheels to prevent them from breaking down on uneven surfaces with the help of thick, durable silicone material.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Sep. 2025
-
But in 2025, that script is breaking down.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20down. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share