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
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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
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Recent Examples of taking up
Bishop famously pivoted from studying physics at the University of Chicago on a scholarship to taking up the blues and joining the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
—
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Other examples can be seen in the deliberate way Flick sprung to Raphinha’s defence back in December, taking up the topic of the Brazilian’s lack of individual recognition despite not having been asked about it.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
If trends persist, a third and fourth quarterback will be added to the room for training camp, and then only two will be on the active 53-man roster, with another taking up a practice squad roster spot.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Because of inflation and changing consumer habits, many big name retailers have been forced to reduce their store footprints, with e-commerce taking up a higher bulk of sales.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than having cluttered and mismatched products taking up precious space, Hamid recommends unifying products.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Parking and taking up numerous spots is obviously an issue.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Other examples can be seen in the deliberate way Flick sprung to Raphinha’s defence back in December, taking up the topic of the Brazilian’s lack of individual recognition despite not having been asked about it.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
If trends persist, a third and fourth quarterback will be added to the room for training camp, and then only two will be on the active 53-man roster, with another taking up a practice squad roster spot.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Because of inflation and changing consumer habits, many big name retailers have been forced to reduce their store footprints, with e-commerce taking up a higher bulk of sales.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than having cluttered and mismatched products taking up precious space, Hamid recommends unifying products.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Parking and taking up numerous spots is obviously an issue.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
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That season ended with Dustin Brown lifting the Stanley Cup.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Here’s a breakdown of the Avs’ first-round series with the Kings, who have not won a playoff round since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2014.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Factors like drinking alcohol and swimming in choppy surf can turn a routine swim into something dangerous.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
23 Apr. 2026
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Limited research suggests drinking turmeric milk a few days after a workout may reduce muscle soreness.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In December, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia agreed not to stop their EU partners from borrowing the money on international markets as long as the three countries did not have to take part in the scheme.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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It would be paid by borrowing construction costs against future toll revenue — both from existing GMX expressways and revenue from the new 14-mile extension, too.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The incident was captured on camera by a freelance news videographer and appeared to show Evans acting calm and raising his hands in the air when an officer fired a bean bag round that struck him in the stomach, dropping him to the ground.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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While much of the world’s economy has shown resilience in the face of the worst disruption to energy supplies in modern times, the knock-on effects of the conflict are starting to push up inflation while raising alarm bells about food supplies and prompting downgrades to economic growth.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The state is an outlier nationwide because of its stubborn resistance to adopting cleaner, cheaper sources of energy.—
Margie Mason,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Vivian, who came out as transgender in 2020, legally dropped her father's surname 18 years later, adopting Wilson as her last name.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Several potential reforms could address this vulnerability, including allowing write-in candidates in general elections, automatically elevating the third-place primary vote-getter when a primary winner withdraws, or abandoning the top-two system entirely to restore party-nominating primaries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The new collection is rooted in elevating everyday pieces that overlap with Beckham’s aesthetic and Gap’s most popular styles.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The chewy grains and tiny legumes provide a sturdy base, absorbing all the flavors of the warm harissa-spiked dressing without going limp.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
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The plants serve as a physical barrier against dirty air, absorbing chemicals into their cells and collecting particles with their leaves, according to the researchers.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The last three, four, five years everybody is embracing this rugged styling.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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His remarks sparked a torrent of criticism on social media, where some commentators faulted him for embracing technology that could kill jobs in the entertainment industry.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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