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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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

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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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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 Here was an opportunity to be bold and imaginative but only a few clubs, such as Huddersfield Town (again, more on them later), took up the challenge. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 In June, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the first AI tax in history, the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which took up our AI equity tax framework. — Sarah Polcz, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 The faculty admissions board took up a formal review, and this past July, the Board of Regents moved to expedite a decision, which is expected by June 2027. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 DeSantis’ office drafted the proposal lawmakers took up during a special legislative session focused on the property tax proposal. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Officials did not give a breakdown of how many were deported and how many took up offers of voluntary repatriation. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Chekhov took up position beside a section of the wall still standing, keeping well within its shadow. — Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 In 1979, Jean-Louis Palladin arrived in Washington from Gascony, France, took up residence in the kitchen of the Watergate Hotel and proceeded to embarrass every serious cook in America. — Bart Hutchins, Washington Post, 12 June 2026 On June 9, 1846, American immigrants near Sonoma took up arms and captured a number of members of the Mexican military and their horses. — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 12 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up

Verb

Tromso, the northernmost football club in the world to win a major national trophy, having lifted the Norwegian Cup in 1986 and 1996, are tricky opponents.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
WorldView-3 lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and has been orbiting Earth ever since.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifted

Verb

Hampton drank three Shiner bottled beers and two shots of whiskey at a Grand Prairie pool hall and smoked marijuana at his manager’s house in the hours before the collision, Hampton told a police officer near the scene.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
Kenzo leaned back so that his bobbing Adam’s apple was visible, and drank it down in one gulp.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of drank

Verb

When Liverpool borrowed him from Paris Saint-Germain in December 2001 following the departure of fan-favourite striker Robbie Fowler, there were questions about his character and attitude after previous spells at Arsenal and Real Madrid.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The party responsible for repayment generally depends on when the debt was incurred, who borrowed the money, the type of account and applicable state law.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

Extended deployments of carriers – which can have more than 5,000 sailors and Marines on board – have raised concerns about the impact not only on the ships but on service members.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Mangione’s lawyers raised concerns when he was first charged in both jurisdictions that the 28-year-old was unfairly being tried twice for the same crime.

— Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of raised

Verb

The mortgage has been calculated, insurance and taxes considered, and closing costs absorbed.

— Dan Bray, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
As a preteen, I became absorbed in the life of Davy Crockett, Wild Bill Hickok and others through stories written for my age group.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorbed

Verb

About one third of its customers had adopted that safeguard, which will now become mandatory by year’s end.

— Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Dozens of developing and emerging-market countries adopted nearly 200 emergency measures, including conservation mandates, fuel subsidies to tax suspensions, and emergency efforts to secure alternative supplies.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopted

Verb

Since the team returned to training, with second-team head coach Ryan Richter elevated to interim boss of the first team, the Union has taken off.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
EasyNest Bed Wedge Pillow Set offers adjustable and elevated back support for better sleep, reading or working, with a gentle slope that can ease snoring, acid reflux and post-surgery discomfort.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of elevated

Verb

Nowhere is the gap between noise and signal wider than in the obsession that has swallowed every other story, which is AI.

— Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
In an exam room at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago, Gardner shook three light blue pills out of a bottle and, sipping water, swallowed them one at a time.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026