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
His death marked the loss of a titan in the Civil Rights Movement, defined by a six-decade career that took him across the country and around the world.
—
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Not many years ago, a ruthless man with an uneasy mind took power in his country and created a cult of personality.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The woman took a deal and pleaded guilty in September to being an accessory to a felony and to misdemeanor theft, which dismissed a tampering with evidence charge and a second accessory count.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Israeli military’s top general took swift action, suspending all operational activities of a reserve battalion involved in the detention of CNN’s team in the West Bank – including dismissing one soldier from military service.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
But the four of us took a moment.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Eldest cousin Savannah Phillips stood between her two great-grandparents behind the couch, while Prince George took a spot next to the Queen.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet another study looked at people with fatty liver disease who took 3,000 mg of turmeric daily for 12 weeks.
—Patricia Weiser, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2026
Guests took every opportunity to share their experience on social media, with Glamour global editorial director and editor-in-chief Samantha Barry and Lee setting the playful tone by filming a trending Instagram reel.
—Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Not many years ago, a ruthless man with an uneasy mind took power in his country and created a cult of personality.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The woman took a deal and pleaded guilty in September to being an accessory to a felony and to misdemeanor theft, which dismissed a tampering with evidence charge and a second accessory count.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Israeli military’s top general took swift action, suspending all operational activities of a reserve battalion involved in the detention of CNN’s team in the West Bank – including dismissing one soldier from military service.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
But the four of us took a moment.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Eldest cousin Savannah Phillips stood between her two great-grandparents behind the couch, while Prince George took a spot next to the Queen.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Yet another study looked at people with fatty liver disease who took 3,000 mg of turmeric daily for 12 weeks.
—Patricia Weiser, Verywell Health, 9 Apr. 2026
Guests took every opportunity to share their experience on social media, with Glamour global editorial director and editor-in-chief Samantha Barry and Lee setting the playful tone by filming a trending Instagram reel.
—Glamour, 9 Apr. 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
-
Smith had some hot and cold moments, striking out eight while walking five in 3 2/3 scoreless innings.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Kansas City has had an earnings tax since the 1960s, but voters have been required to renew the tax every five years following a state ballot initiative in 2010.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The right-handed Bird got ahead of pinch-hitter Graham Pauley with two quick strikes.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
It's got nearly 1,800 connections and many thousands of residences to serve.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Under city zoning rules, the Board of Zoning Adjustment needed to approve a special use permit for the project.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The pool table can also be used as a ping-pong table or even another table, if needed.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Oakland accommodated more than 1,000 private aircraft during Super Bowl week, Skantz said.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The guests were accommodated at Denarau hotels, per Blue Lagoon Cruises.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cazares and Grant-Dawson worked together to get the Bay Area-district out of insolvency, after which HYA Corporation took over fiscal responsibility.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The beneficiary of Adell’s first catch was starter Jack Kochanowicz, who worked 5⅔ innings, with seven strikeouts.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Several major insurers that offer federal employee health plans — including the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare — declined to comment on their plans to comply with the notice or offer insight on where plans to implement the data sharing stood.—
Amanda Seitz,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
An Easter bunny stood beside the president, unblinking, as the president detailed his accomplishments.—
Maura Judkis,
Washington Post,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The tanker is believed to have carried approximately 9,000 gallons of gasoline during the crash.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The researchers believed that superior hardware was being reserved for profit-generating activities.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
