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 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

Or the season’s big reveal coming in the form of flashbacks that not only feel lifted from another, far less entertaining espionage drama, but lean on emotions the show, to the end, never actually earns.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
The drug distributor also lifted its full-year profit outlook after just one quarter into its new fiscal year.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of lifted

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

Cooks in the Farm-to-Fork capital can choose between organic turkeys, heritage breeds with more dark meat and complex flavors, and poultry raised using regenerative agricultural practices which protect soil health.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Whereas Paintstroke evokes a wet stripe of pigment, Chalk Line juxtaposes raised cross-hatchings against a neutral ground.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 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

Unfortunately for us, those tenants have evolved a sticky knack for evading eviction, creating a webbing known as biofilm that prevents them from being easily licked or swallowed away.

— Mike McRae, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
The collapse swallowed part of the driveway and damaged the deck of the Spider-Noir actor’s property.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026