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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking up
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
With King Charles’ health deteriorating, the Prince and Princess of Wales are taking up more royal duties, and their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
After taking up eight of the July 2025 tally’s 10 positions, music from KPop Demon Hunters keeps those same eight songs on the August survey, while the other two songs from last month — both from Superman — also stay on the list.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
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
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
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
With King Charles’ health deteriorating, the Prince and Princess of Wales are taking up more royal duties, and their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
After taking up eight of the July 2025 tally’s 10 positions, music from KPop Demon Hunters keeps those same eight songs on the August survey, while the other two songs from last month — both from Superman — also stay on the list.
—Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
The Phillies strung three consecutive hits off Blake Treinen, with Nick Castellanos lifting a soft double that cut the Dodgers’ lead to one and brought Vesia into the game.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The modernization plan also includes lifting the 1994 ban on closing rural post offices that covers nearly 4,000 locations.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So just fixing my diet, drinking a lot of water, stretching, moving every day, doing the right movements.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
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To paraphrase Fight Club, fighting becomes the reason to keep your nails short, to order salad instead of fries, and to stop drinking on weeknights.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sandinista ideology blended Marxism, liberalism, and nationalism, borrowing ideas from both sides of the Iron Curtain.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Armed with better products, Google search, and no allegiance to the subculture’s origins, people are borrowing from goth to imbue their makeup with an edge.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The nonprofit will provide scholarships and supportive services for families raising children with autism.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Prague Reuters — Billionaire Andrej Babis’s ANO party cruised to victory in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election on Saturday, raising the prospect of a government that would boost Europe’s populist, anti-immigration camp and reduce support for Ukraine.—
Reuters 3 hr ago,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Here, grizzlies don’t equate people with food—as opposed to populated areas where alluring smells forge a connection—and have learned to tolerate humans, thanks to decades of naturalists adopting nonthreatening practices.—
Susan Portnoy,
AFAR Media,
3 Oct. 2025
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Despite higher long-term costs, the upfront expense of adopting a pet has actually decreased since 2024.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, 91% of 18-34-year-olds said elevating women into government positions is important, while 81% or 80% of the other age cohorts said the same.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
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Goad joined The Tennessean in 2016 as the business and entertainment editor and has been critical to the company’s digital growth, leading a dramatic expansion of music and entertainment coverage while elevating its enterprise business reporting.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The polycarbonate shell is designed with impact-absorbing flexibility, while the ridged exterior helps disguise any surface scratches.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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Its thorough filtration process captures pollen, dust, and other small particles, while also absorbing odors and fumes.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Similarly, Luca Stefano used a mohair fabric with a dark-mustardy finish for his LS35A sofa, embracing the earthier side of metallics.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
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These travelers are embracing extreme day trips.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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