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
Relevance
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,
24 June 2026
Marco Colon, 14, is taking up boxing with Plaza now, as is Eugene Garcia, 18.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Everything comes together for the next corner, with Kane taking up the free role away from the crowd this time.
—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Since taking up farming in 2019, Clarkson has become an outspoken agriculture advocate who has railed against the government’s decision to introduce inheritance tax on farmland in November 2024.
—
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Some states are taking up the issue.
—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
While Elliott became the cast’s newest addition, Demi Moore was foregrounded as a major player, with her character Cami Miller taking up the mantle of MTEX CEO following her husband’s sudden death in Season 1.
—
Kai Naima Williams,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Its minimalist silhouette and hip-length hem pair effortlessly with shorts, skirts, or linen trousers, helping to stretch your travel wardrobe without taking up much suitcase space.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
The space will occupy 20,879 square feet, taking up a large amount of existing vacant space in the center, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
Marco Colon, 14, is taking up boxing with Plaza now, as is Eugene Garcia, 18.
—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Everything comes together for the next corner, with Kane taking up the free role away from the crowd this time.
—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Since taking up farming in 2019, Clarkson has become an outspoken agriculture advocate who has railed against the government’s decision to introduce inheritance tax on farmland in November 2024.
—
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Some states are taking up the issue.
—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
While Elliott became the cast’s newest addition, Demi Moore was foregrounded as a major player, with her character Cami Miller taking up the mantle of MTEX CEO following her husband’s sudden death in Season 1.
—
Kai Naima Williams,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Its minimalist silhouette and hip-length hem pair effortlessly with shorts, skirts, or linen trousers, helping to stretch your travel wardrobe without taking up much suitcase space.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
The space will occupy 20,879 square feet, taking up a large amount of existing vacant space in the center, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
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Rookie Jacob Gonzalez delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning, lifting the Sox to a 2-1 victory against the Royals in front of 28,569 at Rate Field.
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South Florida’s task forces won’t just be bringing manpower, but also equipment for breaching, lifting and supporting structures in collapsed zones.
Verb
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The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
-
And the risk isn’t only from drinking.
Verb
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That limited graduate nursing students to borrowing $20,500 a year, while students in clinical psychology, optometry and podiatry, as well as medicine, dentistry and law, could borrow $50,000.
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That includes sweeping hundreds of millions of dollars out of special taxing districts, borrowing to pay for legal settlements and retroactive pay bumps, and diverting pandemic relief money away from programs and toward payroll instead.
Verb
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The way the loss came about should be raising alarm bells inside the US camp.
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Forming partnerships with like-minded organizations is critical to raising brand awareness, accessing new markets and multiplying impact.
Verb
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For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels.
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There was an instance of Pölzl using her body to shield young Adolf and absorbing her husband’s blows.
Verb
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While musicals, with their higher production costs and specific talent needs, still pursue long runs, plays are increasingly adopting this profitable, rapid turnover approach.
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In a pricey travel year, travelers are adopting savvy strategies to enjoy high-end experiences with less financial regret.
Verb
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Meteorologists warn above-average temperatures and low humidity from the Rockies to the Pacific are elevating fire danger.
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The deal marks David Yurman’s debut on Fifth Avenue, a milestone moment in elevating a brand’s image while also growing sales.
Verb
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Broadway's business model is evolving, with many recent Tony-winning plays now embracing limited, high-demand runs instead of traditional extended engagements.
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After embracing Bettman, Bieber made the big announcement, announcing Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, 18, as the 2026 NHL Draft's top overall pick.
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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