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
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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
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Removing these bargain fares is also lifting the average ticket price.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Robbie Ray combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, lifting the Giants to their first home win against the Marlins since August of 2024.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As a whole, Gen Z is drinking less than previous generations.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
Other ways to keep your blood sugar in check include walking after meals, drinking more water, and practicing strength training.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Big tech companies are competing for dominance in artificial intelligence, borrowing to build data centers and other infrastructure.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The utility business model involves borrowing substantial sums to invest in networks and later recovering costs from customers.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Walker was also experiencing a mental health issue and was shot after raising a knife.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Several early tests failed, raising questions about the program’s future.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bubbles Didn’t Enter The Picture That Early In one of the moist unintentionally hilarious moments in the movie, Michael shocks his family by adopting a CGI baby chimpanzee named Bubbles sometime around 1979.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Hallfords’ case prompted laws mandating routine inspections and adopting a funeral director licensing system.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Klinger warns that adding excess fat, calories, and sugar can rapidly transform coffee into a high-calorie beverage, elevating the risk of weight gain.—
Embry Roberts,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to refocusing its strategy, Comcast has changed up its leadership structure, including elevating Mike Cavanagh to co-CEO alongside Roberts.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Each time, Banchero was at the center of it, creating offense, absorbing contact and refusing to let the game slip entirely out of reach.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The best ones contained rice starch, charcoal, and other oil-absorbing ingredients that didn’t weigh down hair or leave behind a white residue.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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The phrase, coined by 33-year-old content creator and consultant Erica Mallett, refers to embracing those hard feelings.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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