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
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Recent Examples of taking out
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
Charlie Mickel, fresh from taking out one of the favorites, Cooper Woods, in the previous round, faced another Australian in Matt Graham this time around.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
In the visual, the actor and musician eye each other across a dance floor, then bust out laser guns and start shooting (taking out a few unicorns in the process), before Kesha reigns victorious.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
And people-proofing cars has proven harder than anyone might have imagined when Chicagoans were taking out their Model T’s for Sunday drives on the Mother Road.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Video evidence and sworn witness testimony indicate Pretti approached law enforcement during their altercation with other civilians, filming the incident on his phone but never taking out his gun or acting violently toward officers.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The number of homebuyers taking out VA loans also increased in August, rising 3 percent year-over-year nationwide—bucking the trend observed for conventional loans, which declined 9 percent year-over-year in the same month.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Literally sitting on the ground, probably kneeling and just watching the television, taking out the tape, rewinding it, putting it back in and watching it over and over again.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
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
Charlie Mickel, fresh from taking out one of the favorites, Cooper Woods, in the previous round, faced another Australian in Matt Graham this time around.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
In the visual, the actor and musician eye each other across a dance floor, then bust out laser guns and start shooting (taking out a few unicorns in the process), before Kesha reigns victorious.
—Anna Chan, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
And people-proofing cars has proven harder than anyone might have imagined when Chicagoans were taking out their Model T’s for Sunday drives on the Mother Road.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Video evidence and sworn witness testimony indicate Pretti approached law enforcement during their altercation with other civilians, filming the incident on his phone but never taking out his gun or acting violently toward officers.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The number of homebuyers taking out VA loans also increased in August, rising 3 percent year-over-year nationwide—bucking the trend observed for conventional loans, which declined 9 percent year-over-year in the same month.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Literally sitting on the ground, probably kneeling and just watching the television, taking out the tape, rewinding it, putting it back in and watching it over and over again.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking out
Verb
-
As the reservoirs of the Republican and Democratic voters evaporate, independents are becoming a stream of optimism for removing the wasteful and destructive policy of the two-party war that is pushing us further apart.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
How to get rid of fruit flies To quickly eliminate fruit flies, start by thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and removing overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The family is known for murdering its own members, planning atrocities with wildfire, and generally unleashing a draconian rage on the commoners of Westeros.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, during a brief hearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Monday morning.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Above all, unleashing America’s promise requires keeping our community safe.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Above all, unleashing America's promise requires keeping our communities safe.—
February 25,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The deranged demeanor accompanying her rude responses under oath deserves an Oscar nomination in the cringe and horror categories.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The sudden flood of oxytocin accompanying the onset of the drug produces feelings of emotional communion, oneness, and openness.—
Erica Rex,
STAT,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lupel continued working to get Dotson’s rape conviction overturned until withdrawing as his attorney in 1986.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and began withdrawing its remaining fighters from Turkey.—
Suzan Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The presiding judge in the case against Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative icon Charlie Kirk last September, will rule on a critical defense motion today.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Harry Jacobs, who was recently named head of the office's criminal division, was also involved in the prosecution of Vance Boelter, the man accused of assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Two and a half months ago, when Diggs faced strangulation and assault charges that seemed to threaten his immediate football future, the Patriots stood with their star receiver by releasing an atypically strong statement.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Buckley is the rare artist getting a shot at being elected on the basis of releasing only one album in his lifetime.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Declutter by putting away items that collect there throughout the week, like mail, packages of food, keys, or extra dishes.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Utopia Home Premium Wooden Hangers One of my favorite little luxuries in my own home is having wooden hangers in all of our closets, which makes putting away laundry or getting dressed feel less like a chore.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20out. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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