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
Parking and taking up numerous spots is obviously an issue.
—
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers’ dominant performance with 23 points, lifting Los Angeles past the Pelicans 137-117 to end a three-game slide.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Temperatures will warm into the 40s and 50s slowly through midweek with the jet stream lifting farther north.—
Adam Del Rosso,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
George has a particular fondness for drinking out of my watering can.—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Among Johnson’s proposals, Fitch pointed to borrowing for retroactive pay for firefighters and a reliance on new tax revenues that might end up in court, an allusion to the mayor’s social media and sports betting taxes.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
To be sure, home affordability has been impacted by more than borrowing costs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While more than one-third of that backlog is now being released, a handful of states — including California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — are being left out, raising new concerns that the administration is playing politics with critical emergency assistance, the sources said.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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Melissa Claire Egan is opening up about some sobering health news in hopes of raising awareness.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nocetti said membership might be open to adopting changes.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
With the focus on switching away from fossil fuels, countries are adopting large-scale solar and wind power plants.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Housed at the Michigan State University School of Journalism, the Hall of Fame recognizes journalists who have advanced a free and responsible press while elevating the profession across the state.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Several senior party and military posts were reshuffled, elevating younger loyalists.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It's made with a contoured footbed to provide better arch support, a deep heel cup for more stability, and shock-absorbing cushioning to stave off foot fatigue.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Councilmember Joe LaCava questioned, however, why the city is absorbing the cost.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mercury, the messenger, is embracing beauteous Venus in your 10th House of Drive.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Thank you for embracing our roots.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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