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
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
Though once invited to appear in a film by Michelangelo Antonioni, travel restrictions of the era kept him from taking up the role.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 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
The teacher opted to try taking up the carpet herself on the last day of school, but later submitted a work order after the job turned out to be too difficult to complete herself, the letter reads.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Though once invited to appear in a film by Michelangelo Antonioni, travel restrictions of the era kept him from taking up the role.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 7 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
The teacher opted to try taking up the carpet herself on the last day of school, but later submitted a work order after the job turned out to be too difficult to complete herself, the letter reads.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
Skorniakov worked with him on axels using a harness and a pole, bracing and lifting as his son spun in the straps.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2026
-
But Beshear hasn’t turned Trump-bashing into a 24/7 vocation, or a weight-lifting contest where the winner is the critic wielding the heaviest bludgeon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And while the Gen Xer is leaning on coffee to fuel his massive company turnaround effort—drinking around three times more than the average American pouring two to three cups a day—Gen Z is really who keeps him on his toes, advising him to constantly grow in his role.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Avoid regularly drinking beverages above 140 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent these risks.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paying the tax typically requires selling assets or borrowing against them, triggering capital gains taxes, leverage risks, and further distortions.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Strong demand for dollars gives the US more influence in borrowing money overseas at low rates and imposing sanctions on other nations.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The agent is seen raising the pepper spray can, pointing it towards the crowd in what looked to be an attempt to keep them at a distance.—
Gio Insignares,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In an email to The Times, Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos said the governor had a strong record of fighting for workers’ rights, including raising the minimum wage and expanding sick leave and other worker protections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Street stylers are adopting these hues monochromatically, which keeps the look warm but minimal.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
31 Jan. 2026
-
All are grappling with budget problems after the fire and adopting plans to charge more.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In reality, the agency is elevating scientific rigor and economic reality over feel-good motivated reasoning.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Drawing on her training, Santana performed lifesaving measures, including elevating legs to improve blood flow to the heart.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Earlier Thursday, the Nets also waived veteran forward Haywood Highsmith, freeing another roster spot while absorbing additional dead cap.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Now, rather than invest in more powerful and more expensive technologies, some scientists are using an alternative technique called expansion microscopy, which inflates the subject using the same moisture-absorbing material found in diapers.—
Molly Herring,
Quanta Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iskander encourages shedding the urge to micromanage outcomes and instead embracing surrender.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
O’Hara sinks into the role, embracing the inherent clumsiness of community theater while celebrating its flaws.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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