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 After nine years playing in the majors, Hoffman took up coaching in the Dodgers’ minor league farm system, splitting time between managing and coordinating field instruction for player development. — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 1 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 Six took up redistricting voluntarily, one was required to by its state constitution and another did so under court order. — David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 The board took up Chapman’s previous offer to reduce her hours and forgo her benefits next year. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026 The Supreme Judicial Court took up the case, and is now weighing the lawsuit after hearing arguments from both sides last month. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026 Though the back-and-forth between council, city staff and developers took up much of the hearing, over a dozen citizens chimed in. — Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up

Verb

That performance has lifted its stock on the Indian bourses fivefold since 2021 and 25% over the past year.

— Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Since the incident began, the size of the frozen zone in which crews work to stabilize the building has gradually been reduced, roads have reopened and many of the vacate orders have been lifted.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of lifted

Verb

On the coast, the quirky tradition that is the Hermosa Beach Ironman returned, too, as dozens of people ran, paddled and drank a six pack of suds.

— Daily News, Daily News, 4 July 2026
Eighteenth-century Americans drank a staggering amount of alcohol compared to us today, so there are two important essentials for your party, both involving booze.

— Brooke Barbier, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of drank

Verb

The primary goal of the study is to evaluate the implant's safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile, or how the drug is absorbed and released in the body over time.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Just three companies — Anthropic, Jeff Bezos’ Project Prometheus and Anduril Industries — absorbed 75% of that total.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of absorbed

Verb

Following an internal cruise industry review, in 2012 international cruise organizations adopted a new policy requiring ships to hold mandatory muster drills before leaving port.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026
This has proved to improve safety and efficiency where it has been adopted.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of adopted

Verb

That judge is elevated to the Supreme Court for a term of no more than 10 years.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
The organization recently elevated 2025 MLB Draft selection Justin Lamkin to Double-A Northwest Arkansas after a strong start to his pro career.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

Definition of elevated

Verb

Arrax was the first of these creatures to die when he and his rider, Rhaenyra's son Prince Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), were swallowed up by Aemond's Vhagar in the season 1 finale.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Each player swallowed a biometric tablet, about the size of a large vitamin, so that scientists could see how well his body cooled itself.

— Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026