took up

Definition of took upnext
past tense of take up
1
2
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

3

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 Martinez’s attorneys took up the battle to get evidence released in early January following the killing of Renee Good by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis under circumstances eerily similar to Martinez’s shooting. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 But FOToS took up the most oxygen last year; its author, a two-time winner here, certainly will earn his third. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026 Additionally, the lawsuit claims oil companies began in the 1980s to halt their research on advanced battery chemistries and hybrid electric motors, withheld market-ready hybrid engine prototypes and took up patent litigation to stifle innovators. Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026 The 49ers took up residence in Santa Clara in 1988 after moving from Redwood City, with Levi’s Stadium to follow on site in 2014. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026 The band Buffalo Springfield took up residence in the 1960s, and Neil Young returned to the site in the 1970s with his band Crazy Horse, according to reporting from SF Gate. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026 Prevost took up his new role in Rome after Easter of that year. Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026 And Cook took up Hunt on the offer. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025 The other laureates, French economist Philippe Aghion and Canadian-American Peter Howitt, also took up the earlier work of renowned Austrian-American economist Joseph Schumpeter, from the first half of the 20th century, 150 years after Smith. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up
Verb
  • An eight-hour lockdown on campus was lifted Friday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • SpaceX launches Crew-12 astronauts With a blinding light, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on time from Space Launch Complex 40 to carry the four Crew-12 astronauts toward the International Space Station.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Earlier this month, a newborn baby died from a listeria infection in New Mexico after the infant’s mother drank raw milk, and officials there are warning people off those products while the death is being investigated.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • In the early 2000s, there was a viral gossip report that Thornton and the Tomb Raider star drank each other’s blood.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • So much so that by June 1870, Rillet filed a trademark injunction with the New York Supreme Court, trying to stop a competitor who had borrowed the name while abandoning the process.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Alpha School Scottsdale has also borrowed language and practices from gaming to maximize growth.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Additionally, hyperscalers, including Amazon , Microsoft , Meta , and Alphabet , announced capital expenditure of up to $700 billion on AI this year, which has raised concerns over returns and whether the extent of AI spend is justified.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Videos from the killing of Renee Good, a mother of three, in her vehicle, raised questions about the federal agent’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In more severe cases of hair loss, a doctor might prescribe oral minoxidil, which is generally absorbed better by the body but also typically comes with more side effects.
    Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The automaker absorbed roughly $2 billion in losses tied to fires at a Novelis aluminum supplier plant in New York.
    Benzinga, Freep.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Gripped by a worsening economic crisis, Cuba’s government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and ration fuel supplies for key sectors.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Some guests got very into it—one adopted a fake British accent for the duration.
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This is one reason IV is elevated.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Mike Ekeler was hired as the special teams coordinator/linebackers coach, Paul Gonzales was hired to coach the safeties and Skyler Jones was elevated to defensive tackles coach.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • An autopsy showed the baby inhaled and swallowed the sanitation liquid used in the portable toilet, according to investigators.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Many potassium supplements should be swallowed whole.
    Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Took up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!