Synonyms of absorb

absorb

verb

əb-ˈsȯrb 

1

as in to drink

to take in (something liquid) through small openings

most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drink
• swallow
• sip
• imbibe
• soak (up)
• sponge
• take up
• suck (up)
• gulp
• quaff
• slurp
• guzzle
• swig
• swill

2

as in to immerse

to hold the attention of

chatting on the phone doesn't absorb me so much that I can't do something else at the same time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immerse
• interest
• occupy
• intrigue
• attract
• involve
• fascinate
• engage
• grip
• busy
• engross
• enthral
• distract
• enwrap
• catch up
• enthrall
• enchant
• bemuse
• preoccupy
• captivate
• catch one's eye
• obsess
• hypnotize
• charm
• mesmerize
• monopolize
• bewitch
• allure
• beguile
• hog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade

3

as in to integrate

to make a part of a body or system

local schools will seek to absorb the new immigrants into the regular curriculum as quickly as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• integrate
• incorporate
• assimilate
• embody
• co-opt
• merge
• amalgamate
• combine
• commingle
• blend
• intermingle
• mingle
• habituate
• accustom
• acculturate
• condition
• enculturate
• fuse
• naturalize

4

as in to consume

to make complete use of

cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consume
• spend
• drain
• exhaust
• reduce
• burn
• use
• deplete
• eat
• expend
• devour
• play out
• draw down
• use up
• decrease
• run out of
• diminish
• waste
• empty
• weaken
• lessen
• downsize
• undermine
• clean (out)
• dwindle
• dissipate
• impoverish
• abate
• blow
• debilitate
• bankrupt
• cripple
• dry up
• sap
• disable
• enfeeble
• lower
• squander
• guzzle
• de-escalate
• throw away
• lavish
• run through
• misspend
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• replace
• renew
• augment
• enforce
• reinforce
• enlarge
• strengthen
• bolster
• preserve
• restore
• save
• revive
• rebuild
• repair
• conserve
• fortify
• reenforce

5

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult)

somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tolerate
• endure
• accept
• handle
• stand
• take
• sustain
• bear
• swallow
• stomach
• meet
• abide
• wear
• support
• stand for
• countenance
• stick out
• live with
• lump (it)
• suffer
• allow
• go
• bide
• brook
• hack
• sweat out
• tough it out
• permit
• pocket
• acquiesce
• reconcile (to)
• yield (to)
• submit (to)
• agree (with or to)
• capitulate
• respect
• consent (to)
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• dismiss
• resist
• avoid
• decline
• repudiate
• oppose
• fight
• escape
• combat
• evade
• spurn
• miss
• turn down
• contest
• circumvent
• bypass
• refrain (from)
• elude
• dodge
• forbear
• abstain (from)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of absorb

This leaves little room to absorb the rapid load increases AI infrastructure requires, Fishman ntoed. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

In March, The Athletic reported the Twins’ debt was a significant roadblock as the Pohlad family was initially asking interested parties to absorb that on top of the sale. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

The ground is too hard to absorb rainfall, and that water freezes when the temperature drops. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

The breading, for instance, isn’t thick and is just flavored with salt and pepper, saving the seasoning for immediately after frying, while the chicken is hot and moist enough to absorb it. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025