take 1 of 2

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as in to accommodate
to make or have room for I think we can take two more in this elevator

Synonyms & Similar Words

8
as in to work
to produce a desired effect it will be a few hours before this medication takes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to receive
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants

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14

take

2 of 2

noun

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as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior what's your take on the announcement that the senior vice president is taking an early retirement?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in yield
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time who will win the poker tournament and collect the whole take?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in share
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group because there were so many winners of the jackpot, each person's take will be smaller than expected

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play) despite its contemporary setting, this take on King Lear isn't particularly novel or insightful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word take different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of take are clutch, grab, grasp, seize, and snatch. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

In what contexts can clutch take the place of take?

In some situations, the words clutch and take are roughly equivalent. However, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of take?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Where would grasp be a reasonable alternative to take?

While the synonyms grasp and take are close in meaning, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When is seize a more appropriate choice than take?

While in some cases nearly identical to take, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of take?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

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 take
Verb
This watch is in effect until Sunday at 11 p.m. Recommendations from the NWS for staying safe during a flood For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground. Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025 Stark white millwork is out and inviting sage is taking its place, according to Dallas designer Courtney Batten of Paige Studio. Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
For a more elevated take, add some capers, roasted garlic, or chopped jarred artichokes. Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2025 Of course, the high-street also has its takes, such as Freja’s stunning ivory option or Staud’s sumptuous suede style. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Though Los Angeles is a perennial favorite for AEW pay-per-views, Revolution 2025 marks the first time AEW has held a pay-per-view in the Crypto.com Arena.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
  • With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Goodman has a nervy start, with an errant pass out of play.
    Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The sheriff's office has no jurisdiction over the case but sent detectives to the island to assist local investigators.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Watkins made some bad decisions in traffic, and the Bruins were able to get away with some contact in the paint.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.
    Nick Crain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Suns drafted him with the 22nd pick, one of three Arkansas Razorbacks chosen in the first round, joining Todd Day and Lee Mayberry.
    Doug Haller, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • California state workers who have been watching the chaos unfold understand that public servants at the federal level don’t choose to work in government for the overly generous salaries.
    William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This is what the Americans and their leaders need to understand, we cannot be bought and we cannot be ignored.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • In a joint address to Congress in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Trump touted BlackRock’s deal to buy the two Panama Canal ports.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • More importantly, agencies need to help clients bridge their own internal gaps.
    Orla Murphy, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Congress needs to prioritize the well-being of our nation's children and oppose any cuts to school meals.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Baby Hour, something that savvy urban restaurants are increasingly keen to accommodate.
    Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Some of this is driven by pure necessity, such as the need to accommodate a legacy application with a proprietary toolset.
    Jason Andersen, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As of late, Goodman, an Oscar winner, has been working mostly in the TV space.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Both work very well to ensure that the dirt, dust, and grime are actually coming out of the tiny grooves on your record.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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