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
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
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
A week after a 550-pound bear was evicted from under an Altadena home, another Altadena resident about a mile away reported a bear taking up residency under that home’s floorboards.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Its foldable design with a snap closure keeps accessories organized, without taking up too much room in an everyday purse or carry-on bag.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Biesinger says working on his own projects, spending time with his family and taking up hobbies like metal detection offer ways to relieve stress and reconnect with his creativity.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
A week after a 550-pound bear was evicted from under an Altadena home, another Altadena resident about a mile away reported a bear taking up residency under that home’s floorboards.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Its foldable design with a snap closure keeps accessories organized, without taking up too much room in an everyday purse or carry-on bag.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Biesinger says working on his own projects, spending time with his family and taking up hobbies like metal detection offer ways to relieve stress and reconnect with his creativity.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
The bootcut shape is leg-elongating, while the back seams and pockets add a butt-lifting effect.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And for the president when he’s criticized about lifting the sanctions on Russia, to somehow turn around and blame Zelenskyy, blame Ukraine.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meteorologist Amber Lee recommends drinking plenty of water, taking breaks when needed and avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Aurora Police Department is also encouraging residents to designate a sober driver before heading out, never let a friend drive impaired, always wear a seat belt and use a ride-share service, taxi or public transportation if drinking.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And like its Big Tech rivals, Meta is borrowing tens of billions a year to finance these deals — another possible sign of overconfidence.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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So borrowing an amount such as $60,000 should be relatively easy to do now that median home equity levels are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt and Sinomine Resource Group are also constructing lithium sulfate plants tied to their Zimbabwean mines, raising questions about whether the country is building an independent refining sector or simply deepening its role inside China’s battery ecosystem.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Unlike chatbots that simply respond to prompts, AI agents can take proactive actions, which often require broader access to data and systems, raising privacy and security concerns.—
Evelyn Cheng,Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tucked inside the 2026 Farm Bill is a provision that would reimburse farmers 90% of the cost of adopting AI and precision agriculture technologies — 15 percentage points above the normal EQIP cap.—
Anthony Pahnke,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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In March 2008, Indiana statute restricted counties from adopting additional PSAPs once one already existed in an effort to consolidate emergency services.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The smallest task can be elevating.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Successful leaders are indeed rare, in all walks of life, but finding them, elevating them and supporting them is essential to our nation’s future.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then, floodplains will play a critical role in absorbing runoff and pollutants.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
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As absorbing as the debate has been, technology appears to be settling it without much regard to the feelings of the old guard.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Watching the Chinese Taipei team in tears after an upset win against Korea, and the Japanese fans embracing Czechia’s every grain of success — the moments that made Pool C special were with teams actively growing the game in their country through those brick-by-brick means.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Meta is not alone in embracing a flat structure.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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