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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking up
Silk skirts are a staple of my travel wardrobe, taking up minimal suitcase space while stretching my outfit options.
—
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
In a mostly party-line April 28 vote, 50 Republicans and one Democrat blocked the Senate from taking up the measure.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
In a mostly party-line April 28 vote, 50 Republicans and one Democrat blocked the Senate from taking up the measure.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
The Celtics started 1-for-7 from the field and fell behind 11-3 before Mazzulla made his first change, lifting Harper and sending in Payton Pritchard.—
Zack Cox,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
The brand says the V-design on the back of these wide-leg pants creates a butt-lifting effect.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Rose said Ye bought into her flattery and liked the idea of drinking booze and playing up his bigshot status.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
-
The couple had been drinking at the Abaco Inn and attempted to return to the yacht despite high winds and choppy seas, which Brian said caused Lynette to fall overboard.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
When borrowing access shrinks, the impact is immediate and structural.—
Lola W. Brabham,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
-
Scientists have found a way to make a new class of gas-trapping glass easier to manufacture by borrowing a centuries-old principle from traditional glassmaking.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Since the event’s conception in 2013, more than 60,000 donors have helped hundreds of nonprofit organizations in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties raising more than $117 million, according to the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
Clark’s legal team has also highlighted the role of the lead detective in the case, who was later convicted in an unrelated matter involving perjury and evidence tampering, further raising questions about the original investigation.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
To address its funding shortfall, the county is proposing eliminating hundreds of positions and adopting a series of measures that the county asserts will reduce costs and improve efficiency.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
-
Elderly people may think twice about adopting dogs that have the potential to live much longer.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The Jewish Theological Seminary has named Rabbi Mike Uram as its next chancellor, elevating a Jewish educator best known for his time as executive director of the University of Pennsylvania Hillel to lead Conservative Judaism’s flagship university and rabbinical school.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
What was initially thought to be a small number of caves has been proven otherwise through ongoing research, elevating Nottingham’s historical significance (with a reference to Robin Hood attached).—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Over the last few years, developers of wind and solar projects, most of whom aren’t from here, have been absorbing the bulk of this smoldering, communal wariness.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
-
By 2008, New York City overhauled its building codes, fully absorbing the lessons of 9/11, with a focus on stair width, ceiling height, and airflow.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
Verb
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So the big production rewrite was embracing Australia, not as some post-apocalyptic Mad Max hellscape, but Australia for Australia.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Victory Tour marked the only time all six brothers — Michael, Jermaine, Randy, Tito, Marlon and Jackie — went on tour together and was also the last time Michael performed with them before fully embracing his solo career.—
PEOPLE,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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