taking up

present participle of take up
1
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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of taking up Those with routines to follow will want to check out the slim, weekly pill organizer from Vaydeer, and the Fyy Daily Pill Organizer is also great for organizing multiple medicine shapes, sizes, and quantities without taking up too much space. Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025 However, the mother of four — who shares daughters Luna and Esti and sons Miles and Wren with Legend — also told PEOPLE last year that her husband had been taking up more of the cooking load in their house. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 His release said the state House is taking up a bill that would impose tougher penalties on those who refuse to stop for police. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the far southeast corner of the county, has opposed the project, arguing Google will create too few jobs and pay too little in taxes to justify taking up nearly 470 acres of land. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 30 Aug. 2025 Thanks for taking up this topic. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025 During its early sale, the brand is taking up to 20% off mattresses like their classic Green mattress, Luxury Organic mattress, Vegan mattress, and Latex mattress. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025 In this way, cybersecurity is becoming a task of general economic protection—a trend that characterizes the EU and that more countries worldwide are taking up. Dennis-Kenji Kipker, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 On Tuesday, actress Jenna Dewan presided over the episode with Consuelos, with a roster of fill-in hosts taking up the reins in Ripa's absence throughout the remainder of the week. EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
  • Apart from lifting the ban on social media, the protesters’ other demands included that the Prime Minister resign and that Nepal establish an independent watchdog body similar to an ombudsman to monitor corruption.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Nuno will be replaced by Ange Postecoglou, who was relieved of his duties by Tottenham Hotspur in June, just weeks after ending the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy by lifting the Europa League.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Anyone who’s drinking hot pumpkin spice lattes in a chunky sweater may need to rein it in for a little while.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Sheen and Peele were on a plane and tensions were already high between the two — while Sheen started drinking heavily in his seat.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Laura takes home Daniel’s things, including his laptop, which Cherry had been borrowing.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Liberal and performing arts majors, for example, should think twice about borrowing hundreds of thousands in student loans if their median salary within five years of graduation is approximately $38,000.
    Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
  • There were times when raising kids, building careers, and paying bills felt overwhelming.
    Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • American presidents, adopting a generous and indulgent approach, often did little or nothing to oppose Chinese bad acts in the hemisphere.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Nearly two-thirds of younger employees are actively helping older colleagues in adopting and learning to use AI tools, according to a June poll of over 2,000 professionals across the United States and the United Kingdom by hybrid workspace operator International Workplace Group.
    Ernestine Siu Shreya Ghosal, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those in the know have made a convincing argument for elevating the loungewear with miniskirts and kitten heels.
    Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Morning sunlight signals the brain to wake fully, thus elevating alertness and setting the body’s internal clock.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The drop in profit margins suggests businesses are absorbing higher costs driven by tariffs in their bottom lines.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Crème gets it right with a rich yet fast-absorbing formula that pairs glycerin and aloe vera for lasting hydration, while exfoliating lactic acid gently smooths rough patches.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Begiristain is now spending time with his family in his home city of San Sebastian, embracing life out of the fast lane.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, the industry is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to manage tariff risks, optimize logistics costs, and ensure pricing compliance across complex regulatory environments.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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