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
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 took
He was involved in the negotiations for Hansen's seat, which took four years to obtain as both NASA and CSA policy priorities had to align on the matter, and funding to be obtained.
—
Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026
After Williams rallied in the second set to tie it, the 23-year-old Parry, ranked 111th in the world, took control and cruised in the third.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The Nets took that momentum into the third quarter, beginning the second half on a 13-5 run to take a four-point lead over the Heat.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Mikal Bridges tapped the offensive rebound to OG Anunoby, who took a step beyond the three-point line for a wide-open attempt to send the game to overtime.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2017, Sansiri, a Thai company that invested in Standard International, took control of Bunkhouse, hoping for rapid growth in revenue.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Brown embraces political outsider status Brown, 47, who also serves as Matteson village clerk, said she was propelled into politics when her son contracted an environmental illness tied to water quality that nearly took his life.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
In the 23rd minute, Andres Rivera took one of four corners in the first half.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026
After Williams rallied in the second set to tie it, the 23-year-old Parry, ranked 111th in the world, took control and cruised in the third.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The Nets took that momentum into the third quarter, beginning the second half on a 13-5 run to take a four-point lead over the Heat.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Mikal Bridges tapped the offensive rebound to OG Anunoby, who took a step beyond the three-point line for a wide-open attempt to send the game to overtime.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2017, Sansiri, a Thai company that invested in Standard International, took control of Bunkhouse, hoping for rapid growth in revenue.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Brown embraces political outsider status Brown, 47, who also serves as Matteson village clerk, said she was propelled into politics when her son contracted an environmental illness tied to water quality that nearly took his life.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
In the 23rd minute, Andres Rivera took one of four corners in the first half.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 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
-
Noah Everly had a home run and three RBIs.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Cooper, who had five sacks among 41 tackles last season, played inside and outside for the Toreros.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Bulls got within 10 again on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, but each time the Kings came up with big baskets to stem the tide and secure the victory.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Phillip Danault got a lukewarm reception during his first game in Los Angeles since the Kings traded him back to Montreal in December.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The comments underneath her post were the kind of love letter a whole generation needed to write.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Uber’s website says service animals must be accommodated in compliance with applicable accessibility laws and the company’s service animal policy, which says there are no exceptions due to allergies, religious objections, or a fear of animals.—
Steve Karnowski,
Twin Cities,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Writers accommodated the skimmer.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sheri Penzari, who has worked for United, Delta, and the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines, also recommends dual-purpose dressing.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Hawks worked the ball up court and got it to Webb who fake a drive to make some space and then drilled a three with 10 seconds left to retake the lead.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat were up by as many as 28 points in the fourth quarter with Adebayo continuing to play pop-a-shot in the historic farce — which also moved him past LeBron James, whose 61 points in 2014 stood as Miami’s previous franchise record.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The large police presence was noticeable even before the commissioners’ meeting, when 14 city police officers and sheriff’s deputies stood outside.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many works of Georges Méliès are even believed to have been burned as the original negatives, as the nitrate film stock is incredibly fragile and inflammable.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Climate change may threaten tens of millions more people than previously believed, according to a new study that says previous research used incorrect information about water levels along the world’s coastlines.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
