TAKING UP Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

taking up

verb

present participle of take up

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of taking up The Times reported last month that Waymo’s electric vehicles have been taking up space at public charging stations in San Diego County. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026 The pro-European government of Donald Tusk accuses Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS, of blocking judges elected by the parliamentary majority from taking up their posts at the tribunal. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 Normal gym etiquette is to refrain from taking up time on machines when the place is busy. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 Conversely, if your balances have increased or high-rate debt is taking up a growing portion of your budget, your repayment strategy may need to change. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Feel free to skip the pep talk and ask what's been taking up their energy lately. — Vanessa Van Edwards, Contributor, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Brittin warned upon taking up the top job in May that the organization would need to take drastic measures if his company is to come out the other side of this evolve-or-die period for traditional broadcasters. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Justin Barocas, a founder of the Anomaly agency, is taking up the reins as CEO, while Kamen will move to an executive-chairman role and Scherma will maintain his position as president. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 That’s why the Jmdhkk Hidden Camera Detector may be a good investment to provide a level of safety to your stay without taking up excess space in your suitcase or being difficult to use. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up

Verb

Unveiled in September, Digit v5 is designed for cooperatively safe work alongside humans and a broader range of industrial workflows, including heavier lifting capabilities and a longer reach.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
The central bank typically seeks to bring down inflation by lifting its key interest rate to cool borrowing and spending.

— Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

The former San Francisco supervisor wants to pursue legislation to prevent insurance companies from raising the rates or dropping the coverage of a policyholder who files a claim.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Arizona voters passed a measure that bans cities and towns from raising taxes on groceries until July 2027.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

She was isolated and pulled the play back out to the perimeter for a potential pick, but turned quickly and went to the rim, absorbing the contact from Williams.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Kirby Smart’s program has been the SEC’s gold standard since Nick Saban’s retirement at Alabama, where Smart spent nine seasons absorbing the fine points of championship success from one of the sport’s greatest coaches.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of absorbing

Verb

Traum said that people interested in adopting or fostering a kitten or cat can reach out to the Dixon SOCKS Facebook page, or email them.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
The distinction has often rested on the assumption that couture is handcrafted and ready-to-wear is made by machine; in practice, the two traditions have long overlapped, with each adopting techniques and methods associated with the other.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of adopting

Verb

Club Level guests enjoy a dedicated concierge team, elevating even mundane requests into bespoke experiences.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Among the other moves will be elevating Mustafa Ozgen to CEO of Roku, with Pete Distad, CEO of Fox direct-to-consumer, adding Tubi and Roku’s Frndly TV to his oversight.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevating

Verb

The collection captures the energy and timeless appeal of Coca-Cola while embracing the colorful, whimsical aesthetic that is synonymous with Alice + Olivia.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Young audiences are embracing the ’00s as its own version of classic rock, while millennials who never lost the love have more spending money than ever.

— Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026