TAKING UP Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

taking up

verb

present participle of take up

as in lifting

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 drinking

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 borrowing

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 taking up The model credits pasture for taking up carbon but does not count the carbon carried away in wool and livestock as leaving the system. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 One-and-done dressing means one less outfit to plan—and fewer pieces taking up precious suitcase space. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 Sort the list, prep the meal, or handle the task that has been quietly taking up brain space. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026 This is supportive energy for closure, rest, or releasing a feeling that has been taking up too much room behind the scenes. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 Indeed, so much so that there are suggestions that the people from better-off backgrounds are taking up many of the limited number of places. — Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Gen Z is taking up analog hobbies, ditching dating apps and spending real time at the mall again. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 The queen-sized bed remains grand without feeling imposing or taking up your entire bedroom, largely thanks to its lower headboard height and nearly invisible wooden legs. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026 Much was spoken about the positions Ronaldo was taking up in their opening game, often keeping himself offside when DR Congo pushed up the pitch. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up

Verb

In the opposite direction, open the elbows wide, arching the back and lifting the chin to the sky.

— Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
This type of training is focused on lifting increasingly heavy weights to build bone and muscle mass — something that is critical for women in midlife.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

Several commenters pointed to the fact that alcohol service can continue later than food service, arguing that removing late-night food could leave people drinking without an easy option to eat.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
Lacy said police had told him his son had gone out drinking with a friend, and at some point a physical altercation took place.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of drinking

Verb

The spending is raising questions about Denver's decision to hire outside lawyers for the cases, its decision to agree to the firm's hourly rates and how quickly the legal bills have exceeded the amount the city originally agreed to pay.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
That, in turn, makes less ground transport available, increasing the cost of shipping overland and raising the price on a wide range of goods that never even transited the canal.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

Across the enterprise tech landscape, major software suite vendors have been quietly absorbing the steep costs of graphics processing units (GPUs), inference, and tokens.

— Stacia Garr, Harvard Business Review, 17 Aug. 2026
Navarrette also succeeds actress Anna Paquin, the previous star behind live-action Rogue, a mutant capable of absorbing another’s powers and memories through physical touch.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorbing

Verb

According to Heat World, the Oscar-winning actress is considering adopting another child.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 23 Aug. 2026
Venture capitalists are quickly adopting AI for tasks like sourcing and research, with firms leveraging it to structure meeting notes and manage institutional memory.

— Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopting

Verb

But for allies of a vice president who’s uniquely willing to feed his online trolls, Magness struck a nerve by elevating Vance’s comments that the dollar’s reserve-currency status could be hurting the US’ ability to export goods.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The conflict in the Middle East, now nearing its six-month mark, has sent oil prices higher, elevating inflation concerns.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of elevating

Verb

Bella Hadid, Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Rihanna are just a few of the famous faces embracing this season’s sweetest alternative to ice.

— Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026
The Ferrari driver was seen shirtless while wearing black swim trunks in the first photo, sweetly wrapping his arms around the Kardashians star embracing him from the front.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026