1
as in giving way (to)
to find emotional release for
he took out his frustrations by splitting a cord of firewood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in going out (with)
to go on a social engagement with
she'd like to take the new boy out to the movies sometime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in removing
to take away from a place or position
the airline passenger took his laptop computer out of its carrying case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
the rumor is that the CIA is planning to take him out before he can seize control of the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 out
He was also accused of saying something to the effect of taking out people in his way.
—
City News Service, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
She was also found guilty of insurance fraud for taking out a $100,000 insurance policy on her husband's life with his forged signature and also for submitting a claim following his death.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
In response, Israel has ordered some 300,000 residents of Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut to flee, taking out building after building.
—CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
But eliminating things and fully taking out a capability is really challenging without putting people there on the ground.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Three years later, Williams became the first Black woman since Althea Gibson in 1958 to hoist Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish after taking out defending champion Lindsay Davenport.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Of course, taking out a drug lord is not a bad thing.
—Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
As Zelensky spoke, video footage played on the wall behind him showing new Ukrainian technology taking out Russian drones – harsh reality contrasting with the policy wonkery in the room.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
City News Service, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
She was also found guilty of insurance fraud for taking out a $100,000 insurance policy on her husband's life with his forged signature and also for submitting a claim following his death.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
In response, Israel has ordered some 300,000 residents of Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut to flee, taking out building after building.
—CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
But eliminating things and fully taking out a capability is really challenging without putting people there on the ground.
—NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026
Three years later, Williams became the first Black woman since Althea Gibson in 1958 to hoist Wimbledon's Venus Rosewater Dish after taking out defending champion Lindsay Davenport.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 1 Mar. 2026
Of course, taking out a drug lord is not a bad thing.
—Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
As Zelensky spoke, video footage played on the wall behind him showing new Ukrainian technology taking out Russian drones – harsh reality contrasting with the policy wonkery in the room.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking out
Verb
-
He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The surgery involved removing 40 percent of Erbert's skull and required a follow-up skull implant surgery, per the Los Angeles Times.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bukele has accused them of murdering 200,000 people, including about 80,000 who disappeared without a trace.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide—and for the third year running, they’re welcomed back onto the stage.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Friday, a pickup truck transporting the bees crashed on Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee, heading toward the Henley Street exit and unleashing the bees, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The storms will also be capable of unleashing widespread destructive winds — with a few gusts possibly up to 90 mph — and hail from Oklahoma City to Green Bay, Wisconsin, especially Friday evening.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There's no accompanying app to adjust levels or equalizer, which can be a deal-breaker for some.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Common symptoms can include numbness or tingling, slurred speech, electric-shock sensations accompanying certain neck movements, trouble walking or not being able to walk at all, partial or complete loss of vision, among others, according to the clinic.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Slovenia began preemptively withdrawing all HiPP products from shelves of Spar and other supermarkets, its health inspectorate said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After withdrawing their endorsement of Swalwell, the California Teacher’s Association put its support behind Steyer, a sure blow to Porter, who has also sought to win the support of unions.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The special will look into the stories of Luigi Mangione, who faces trial in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson; Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk; and Robin Westman, accused of a mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
This comes on top of at least 15 years of US-Israel assassinating Iranian university scientists and their families.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Drake has been hinting at this new album for some time now, slowly releasing promos since last summer.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Global conservation efforts included protecting eggs, releasing hatchlings on beaches and reducing capture in fishing nets, according to the IUCN.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the bullpen highlighted by Carlos Estevez and Lucas Erceg augmented by the addition of Matt Strahm figures to give them an advantage in putting away games.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Ultimately, the Saints couldn't complete an all-timer of a tournament shocker, fading late as the Blue Devils rallied from their biggest deficit all season — 13 points — before finally putting away a 71-65 win in Thursday's first round of the East Region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20out. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
