TOOK UP Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

took up

verb

past tense of take up

as in lifted

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 drank

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 borrowed

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 took up Karyn Nakamura also took up Tarighian’s invitation to explore the research histories behind Veo 1 and other generative models, combining several video technologies in a single work. — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 During the pandemic, millions of Americans took up new hobbies to pass the time; some baked sourdough loaves, others took up the ukulele or guitar. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 And if the situation ever reached the point where civilians actually took up arms, Canadian military literature has that covered, too. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026 Also known as Umm Umara, the companion of prophet Muhammad took up arms at the Battle of Uhud. — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 Several militants took up positions inside the complex, and a shootout with security officers ensued, said police official Mohammad Sadiq. — Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026 Penalties and a 10-minute, 32-second drive from the Trojans took up most of the first quarter. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026 About a year ago, Buckmaster took up Córdoba and Martínez-Zoroa’s approach, working with Alpöge and using LLMs from OpenAI’s rival company Anthropic to parse through the mathematical possibilities. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026 Trump has long talked about his survival as divinely guided, a theme Vance took up. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up

Verb

Klara learns Josie’s older sister, Sal, was lifted, got sick, then died.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
For the closing set, according to a photo posted on X and various videos, the legendary rocker was lifted onto the stage while seated on a black throne adorned with skulls and topped with a black bat.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifted

Verb

The group drank alcohol and used a series of drugs — including cocaine and Xanax from the dark web, prosecutors say.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
Her mother drank from the water bottle and realized there was a sour taste, sparking suspicions her water was being tampered with.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of drank

Verb

Torani had borrowed a lot of money to build the new factory, and the pandemic brought new financial uncertainty.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
That year, Love borrowed nearly $150,000 from Foster Friends with zero interest, the tax filing and Love’s state economic disclosure forms show.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

Violent protests across France have raised pressure on the government to increase spending, which could add further to its debt.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
The Cognition investment was part of the startup’s Series E funding round in September, which raised more than $2 billion at a $48 billion valuation.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of raised

Verb

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine pouches contain nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients, with nicotine absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The fields and forests are green because green is the slice of visible light not absorbed for photosynthesis.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of absorbed

Verb

The MacBook screens have always been top-notch, meeting P3 color-gamut standards despite being IPS panels, and some have adopted additional features like True Tone ambient color adjustment.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
How fast the benefits of a truly life-changing technology flow through the economy is the actual measure of how fast it is being adopted.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of adopted

Verb

As expected, Miami elevated kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Wembanyama made a three-point play inside, Julian Champagnie hit a corner 3, and Wembanyama elevated to convert a pass from Stephon Castle into dunk while getting fouled.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of elevated

Verb

All the while, another machine consisting of a motor, a cylindrical blade assembly and a conveyor belt swallowed logs into one end and delivered a stream of wood chips out the other.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Before he was swallowed by one in Whalefall, Austin Abrams flew to Dominica to see a sperm whale up close.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026