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
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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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Both companies must also learn to operate in lunar orbit, and master landing their vehicles on the Moon and then subsequently lifting them off from the lunar surface.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
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Hopes for lifting the ban rose after Lee and Xi met twice.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But drinking them throughout the day in place of water has not been recommended for most people, researchers said.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
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Brynn, who had struggled with alcohol and cocaine abuse in the past, had recently begun drinking again after nearly a decade of sobriety.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Inflation in March surged to its highest level in years, and a frozen Federal funds rate that hasn't been reduced since December is helping to keep borrowing costs high.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
City officials could also consider putting another bond issue to voters in the coming months to help pay for necessary improvements to the buildings, borrowing $12-15 million against future tax payments.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But critics argue lawmakers merely shifted money around while leaving deeper tax, spending and cost-of-living pressures for the next administration, raising a bigger accountability question for voters this fall.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
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If passed, the bill would refer a question to the ballot asking voters whether to invest more in K-12 education -- specifically for teacher pay and retention, smaller class sizes, and expanded career and technical education -- without raising taxes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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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Or, for your next airport outfit, opt for a drapey button-down, buttery-soft joggers, and a roomy crossbody bag that keeps your essentials close while elevating your entire look.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
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She is known for elevating cutting-edge artists that many others deemed too challenging to show, and forintroducing US audiences to the work of European artists including Richter, Joseph Beuys, Marcel Broodthaers, Pierre Huyghe, and Anselm Kiefer.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sahai echoed the concern, noting that outside the Middle East, exporters were absorbing much of the increase in freight costs, with only part of it passed on to importers.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
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Each character has totally justified and totally unjustified reasons for resenting one another, and the sensation of absorbing those contrasting opinions is like being in a stuck bumper car, barraged and battered from all sides.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 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 17 Apr. 2026.
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