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
Glasner’s two main assistant coaches, Michael Angerschmid and Ronald Brunmayr, had long since been responsible for set pieces but, earlier this year, that responsibility was shifted to Paddy McCarthy with greater success, resulting in the Irishman taking up the duties full time.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 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 new Pittsburgh Public Schools board is once again taking up a controversial plan to close seven schools.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 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
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
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
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 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 new Pittsburgh Public Schools board is once again taking up a controversial plan to close seven schools.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
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Defending champion Argentina’s quality is stronger since lifting the trophy in Qatar.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
While the Blues entered the 2025/26 campaign with high hopes after lifting the Club World Cup, the team failed to live up to expectations, floundering in the Premier League and going through three different managers in the space of only a few months.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Danny is, once again, drinking and trying to hide it.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
-
In the 1990s, the soft drink company ran a promotion and a Super Bowl commercial that featured the Harrier as a prize for accumulating 7 million points by drinking Pepsi products.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Verb
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All of this means that Peru, unlike other countries in the region, can afford to pay its debts while borrowing money at relatively low interest rates.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
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Cash from their ads, cloud, and e-commerce businesses easily covered early spending, but then companies started borrowing to pay for AI.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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With the rebuilding ongoing Hart said Saturday’s gala is not just about raising funds, but also awareness.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Walking is exercise proven to help ward off anxiety, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s, while improving self-esteem and raising dopamine levels.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Over the last few years, an increasing number of higher education institutions across the country have begun adopting some form of the three-year degree, including several in Connecticut’s neighboring states.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
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Consumers are also adopting the tech to outsource administrative tasks.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The rooms Recent renovations have been completed in all the rooms, elevating their stature with subtle colors and chic furnishings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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From cat-eye beauties to throwback, oversized statement makers, these glasses will take you from parade float to bar crawl in style (while elevating your ensembles year-round).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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In this, the mechanophore bonds selectively break under force, absorbing energy while keeping the surrounding area stable.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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Dravecky is talented and confident on the puck, absorbing pressure well and completely unafraid to try things.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The duo established themselves as fixtures of the tabloid era known for staging paparazzi photos, fueling feuds and embracing the attention that came with being reality television’s most famous pair.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
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Imperfect measurement is not an argument for embracing ignorance.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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