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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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 up Some hopeful clients took up IFG’s offer to secure a priority waitlist spot with a $1,000 deposit. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026 Because each machine took up its own room, patients tended to spend a lot of time alone. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up

Verb

Problems first began to erupt at Vista in early 2024 when providers were not getting paid on time and the Illinois Department of Public Health lifted Vista’s Level II trauma center status for the first time.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
No injuries were reported, and the order was lifted after police said there was no ongoing threat.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of lifted

Verb

Study participants who drank warm water were also able to pass gas significantly earlier than those who did not.

— Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Nov. 2026
Another study included 85 participants with type 2 diabetes who drank a single dose of fresh pomegranate juice after 12 hours of fasting.

— Suchandrima Bhowmik, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of drank

Verb

The process requires specialized mirrors and a vacuum environment because EUV light is readily absorbed by many materials.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Although satisfying to see, this doesn’t necessarily mean all the ingredients have been absorbed, Osborne says.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of absorbed

Verb

Over two dozen cats still need to be adopted or fostered, according to Traum.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Short for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the conference is part of a multinational treaty that was adopted in 1992.

— Dan Peck, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of adopted

Verb

The most historic victories have come at Viejas Arena as Fisher and Dutcher elevated the program to national relevance, but many of its greatest individual moments were at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Expectations were elevated into the print, thanks to Cardinal shares closing Wednesday at a record high and its two main rivals, Cencora and McKesson , reporting better-than-expected results within the past 24 hours.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of elevated

Verb

Hidden beneath the understory, almost swallowed by spider lilies, was a burial ground.

— Jayme Moye, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2026
But without intentional choices, those four hours can just as easily be swallowed up by more emails, more meetings, more administrative tasks and a longer to-do list.

— Subha Barry, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026