1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking up
Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!
—
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
A week after a 550-pound bear was evicted from under an Altadena home, another Altadena resident about a mile away reported a bear taking up residency under that home’s floorboards.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Its foldable design with a snap closure keeps accessories organized, without taking up too much room in an everyday purse or carry-on bag.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Though once invited to appear in a film by Michelangelo Antonioni, travel restrictions of the era kept him from taking up the role.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Biesinger says working on his own projects, spending time with his family and taking up hobbies like metal detection offer ways to relieve stress and reconnect with his creativity.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
The teacher opted to try taking up the carpet herself on the last day of school, but later submitted a work order after the job turned out to be too difficult to complete herself, the letter reads.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
A week after a 550-pound bear was evicted from under an Altadena home, another Altadena resident about a mile away reported a bear taking up residency under that home’s floorboards.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Its foldable design with a snap closure keeps accessories organized, without taking up too much room in an everyday purse or carry-on bag.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Though once invited to appear in a film by Michelangelo Antonioni, travel restrictions of the era kept him from taking up the role.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Biesinger says working on his own projects, spending time with his family and taking up hobbies like metal detection offer ways to relieve stress and reconnect with his creativity.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
The teacher opted to try taking up the carpet herself on the last day of school, but later submitted a work order after the job turned out to be too difficult to complete herself, the letter reads.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Galloway is a happy user of both substances, and treats drinking as a pleasure best enjoyed in youth.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Advice for preventing or treating UTIs has long focused on diet — think cranberry juice, avoiding coffee or drinking more water.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Saviour follows Ben, played by Archie Fisher (Death by Lightning), who, after borrowing his dad’s police uniform for a costume party, gets into an altercation that results in a man’s death.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Although interest rates on new-car loans have edged lower, buyers are borrowing larger amounts — the average amount financed for a new car recently reached an all-time high, according to Edmunds.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Along with her late husband, the pair founded VIB, an anti-violence nonprofit dedicated to raising social awareness and aiding community causes in Boston, federal prosecutors said.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During the 2020 campaign, Joe Biden proposed raising the corporate tax rate.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Street stylers are adopting these hues monochromatically, which keeps the look warm but minimal.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
-
All are grappling with budget problems after the fire and adopting plans to charge more.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In reality, the agency is elevating scientific rigor and economic reality over feel-good motivated reasoning.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Drawing on her training, Santana performed lifesaving measures, including elevating legs to improve blood flow to the heart.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
They are expected to deliver essential services while absorbing funding delays, underpaid contracts, and rising costs with little margin for error.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Time spent on the job is both the biggest expense and the hardest to accurately gauge, leaving firms to choose between surprising clients with a larger bill or absorbing the additional cost.—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Iskander encourages shedding the urge to micromanage outcomes and instead embracing surrender.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
O’Hara sinks into the role, embracing the inherent clumsiness of community theater while celebrating its flaws.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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