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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking up
With King Charles’ health deteriorating, the Prince and Princess of Wales are taking up more royal duties, and their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
—
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
After taking up eight of the July 2025 tally’s 10 positions, music from KPop Demon Hunters keeps those same eight songs on the August survey, while the other two songs from last month — both from Superman — also stay on the list.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Those with routines to follow will want to check out the slim, weekly pill organizer from Vaydeer, and the Fyy Daily Pill Organizer is also great for organizing multiple medicine shapes, sizes, and quantities without taking up too much space.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
However, the mother of four — who shares daughters Luna and Esti and sons Miles and Wren with Legend — also told PEOPLE last year that her husband had been taking up more of the cooking load in their house.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
His release said the state House is taking up a bill that would impose tougher penalties on those who refuse to stop for police.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the far southeast corner of the county, has opposed the project, arguing Google will create too few jobs and pay too little in taxes to justify taking up nearly 470 acres of land.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 30 Aug. 2025
Thanks for taking up this topic.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
During its early sale, the brand is taking up to 20% off mattresses like their classic Green mattress, Luxury Organic mattress, Vegan mattress, and Latex mattress.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
After taking up eight of the July 2025 tally’s 10 positions, music from KPop Demon Hunters keeps those same eight songs on the August survey, while the other two songs from last month — both from Superman — also stay on the list.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Those with routines to follow will want to check out the slim, weekly pill organizer from Vaydeer, and the Fyy Daily Pill Organizer is also great for organizing multiple medicine shapes, sizes, and quantities without taking up too much space.
—Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
However, the mother of four — who shares daughters Luna and Esti and sons Miles and Wren with Legend — also told PEOPLE last year that her husband had been taking up more of the cooking load in their house.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
His release said the state House is taking up a bill that would impose tougher penalties on those who refuse to stop for police.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the far southeast corner of the county, has opposed the project, arguing Google will create too few jobs and pay too little in taxes to justify taking up nearly 470 acres of land.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 30 Aug. 2025
Thanks for taking up this topic.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
During its early sale, the brand is taking up to 20% off mattresses like their classic Green mattress, Luxury Organic mattress, Vegan mattress, and Latex mattress.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
We’re surrounded by empty sand dunes, and the fog is lifting.—
Sabrina Weiss,
The Dial,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Nvidia shares jumped nearly 4% on Monday following the announcement, lifting the S & P 500 to another all-time high.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There are of course those families who lean hard into the horror movie vibes for decorations, and the college students drinking cheap beer in skimpy costumes.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In the toasty warmth of the holiday season, these two develop a romance after a night drinking alone in a bar at Christmastime.—
Sarah John,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Costs of inputs, like fertilizer, are steep; drought appears likely to hurt yields again this year; and high interest rates have made borrowing more burdensome.—
Connor Giffin,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Undergrad Subsidized loans are being eliminated, making the total cost of borrowing dramatically higher.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fighting on the island had stopped, so the soldiers in the picture were not under fire, and the action of raising the flag (there is a movie of it) took all of a few seconds.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Finally, a potential government shutdown is looming, and talks have remained stalled as the deadline approaches, raising concerns about federal worker furloughs and service disruptions.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Traditional businesses in Miami and Doral — two cities with a strong Hispanic business presence — are adopting cryptocurrencies to carry out transactions with Latin America.—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Since getting together, O'Connell and Sulewski have experienced some major milestones, including buying a house and adopting a dog together.—
Grace Smith,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Directors Guild of America is elevating its in-house public relations staffer ahead of the union’s 2026 negotiations with top studios and streamers.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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The event underscored the significance of McMillan’s leadership while also affirming the fair’s commitment to fostering community and elevating Black voices.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers revealed that to produce solar fuels such as green hydrogen, the light-absorbing molecules must transfer an electrical charge to an acceptor molecule.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The pink helmets, sold in size small, do not comply with standards for absorbing impacts and stability when worn, nor with labeling and certification requirements.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Across Jamaica, resorts are embracing bolder design, elevated local cuisine, and a more profound sense of place.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
27 Sep. 2025
-
The Grammy winner, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, penned a heartfelt message to Polansky and included three photos of the couple embracing each other.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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