Synonyms of taking up

taking up

verb

present participle of take up

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

• lifting
• raising
• elevating
• jacking (up)
• picking up
• uplifting
• hoisting
• perking (up)
• upholding
• hiking
• heaving
• boosting
• heightening
• upping
• craning
• rising
• mounting
• hefting
• ascending
• upraising
• rearing
• upending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lowering
• dropping
• falling
• descending
• pushing
• slipping
• plunging
• dipping
• pressing
• bearing
• pitching
• sinking
• depressing
• submerging

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

• drinking
• soaking (up)
• absorbing
• sucking (up)
• swallowing
• sipping
• imbibing
• sponging
• gulping
• slurping
• swigging
• quaffing
• guzzling
• swilling

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

• borrowing
• adopting
• embracing
• taking on
• picking up on
• taking over
• following
• espousing
• cultivating
• assimilating
• utilizing
• bringing up
• using
• incorporating
• putting on
• copying
• imitating
• usurping
• absorbing
• appropriating
• quoting
• honoring
• cherishing
• affecting
• domesticating
• raising
• fostering
• simulating
• heeding
• arrogating
• naturalizing
• pretending
• nurturing
• assuming
• treasuring
• rearing
• prizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giving up
• abandoning
• relinquishing
• forsaking
• surrendering
• rejecting
• throwing away
• throwing out
• disowning
• renouncing
• repudiating
• spurning
• discarding
• abjuring
• abnegating
• jettisoning
• junking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taking up

That’s why the Jmdhkk Hidden Camera Detector may be a good investment to provide a level of safety to your stay without taking up excess space in your suitcase or being difficult to use. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2026

Some are banning their kids from taking up football; others defend it for building bonds and teaching life skills. — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026

This September, the facility welcomed 34 kits from seven litters, marking the most productive season in its 25-year history of taking up the project. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026

While most voters tell us their biggest concern is affordability, a new issue has entered the chat, taking up an outsized amount of space on the campaign trail, on the airwaves, and in party war rooms. — S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Yet Texhibition Istanbul itself has been holding steady, taking up five halls while other exhibitions around the world were shrinking. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

The synthetic shapeshifter, wanted for intergalactic war crimes, has rewarded the townspeople with good health and prosperity in exchange for protecting her identity and taking up arms should trouble ever come to Rushville. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026

Penthouse 5501 spans roughly 9,200 square feet, taking up an entire floor of the 62-story building, with 360-degree views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026

Two people were killed after protestors exchanged gunfire with federal officers, one of the bullets taking up permanent residence in the Lyceum doorframe. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026