1
as in held
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
take my hand, or we'll get separated in this crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in had
to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly
will you take that call? took a cut in pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in got
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
if you don't cover your head in this weather, you'll take cold and be stuck inside all weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in chose
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
you can take the white side this time, since I got to be white for our last chess game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bought
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in needed
to have as a requirement
it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in stood
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in believed
to regard as right or true
I think we can take his word for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in defeated
to achieve a victory over
I know we can take that team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in managed
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
let's take each problem separately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in received
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to
the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in killed
to deprive of life
I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of took
Bondi took her marching orders and launched investigations of those the president named.
—
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Idaho State troopers, who handle law enforcement duties at the Capitol, took the nine protesters into custody.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
Global leaders have been scrambling to contain the rising cost of oil and gasoline since the start of the Iran war, which took a record amount of oil off the market when tankers full of crude were stranded in the Persian Gulf and military strikes damaged refineries, pipelines and export terminals.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
On getting a job with the Boy Scouts of America, his father moved the family to Dayton, Ohio, where young Melvin studied at an integrated school, took life drawing classes, and visited museums.
—News Desk, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Two and a Half Men’s Chuck Lorre took a previous crack at turning The Bonfire of the Vanities into a limited series at Amazon, back in 2016.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
West took her to meet his parents.
—Erica Campbell, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
And then his week took another happy turn.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The Knicks were able to close the gap behind 17 first-quarter points from Brunson but Charlotte took command late in the second quarter and pushed the lead to 10 at halftime with a series of 3s from Knueppel, Ball and Miller.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Idaho State troopers, who handle law enforcement duties at the Capitol, took the nine protesters into custody.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026
Global leaders have been scrambling to contain the rising cost of oil and gasoline since the start of the Iran war, which took a record amount of oil off the market when tankers full of crude were stranded in the Persian Gulf and military strikes damaged refineries, pipelines and export terminals.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
On getting a job with the Boy Scouts of America, his father moved the family to Dayton, Ohio, where young Melvin studied at an integrated school, took life drawing classes, and visited museums.
—News Desk, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Two and a Half Men’s Chuck Lorre took a previous crack at turning The Bonfire of the Vanities into a limited series at Amazon, back in 2016.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
West took her to meet his parents.
—Erica Campbell, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
And then his week took another happy turn.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
The Knicks were able to close the gap behind 17 first-quarter points from Brunson but Charlotte took command late in the second quarter and pushed the lead to 10 at halftime with a series of 3s from Knueppel, Ball and Miller.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This Diamondbacks rookie had a stellar debut.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Starters carry weight Suggs got going early with a nine-point first quarter and had 13 by the half with four rebounds and four assists.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Things became chippy in the second quarter when Denver backup center Zeke Nnaji, pressed into action due to the injuries, got into an altercation with De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II after Murray and LJ Cryer exchanged shoves.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Arvidsson helped win the faceoff and got the puck back to McAvoy.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That turned out to be all that Monroe needed, improving her record to 12-3 and recording her fourth shutout of the season.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But its renowned wellness offering is arguably needed more deeply in London than anywhere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tehran’s response to the US and Israeli war has shattered any remaining belief in the Gulf that the Iranian regime could be accommodated.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The cabin layout that produced the fastest evacuation time accommodated a total of 152 passengers with two rows of first-class seats at the front, and 30 elderly passengers evenly distributed throughout the cabin.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Abbott’s use of AL16 as a marketing tool worked.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Randolph and Sullivan had worked together in earlier assignments.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At a Tuesday afternoon news conference in Sacramento City Hall, the mother and daughter stood beside their attorney, immigration advocates and local lawmakers — many of whom were involved in a weeks-long effort to bring her home.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
While chatting during a recent visit, my niece stood next to a chair and put one foot on the seat.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Thirty-nine per cent believed that Israel had committed genocide.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The focus was narrow, but thoughtfully executed; two weeks in, the museum even acquired a work that was long believed a false copy, but which was reattributed to Murillo by an art historian, causing a flurry of international headlines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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