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

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

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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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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

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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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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

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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
Drug coverage changes are possible For prescriptions, patients may see caps on those expensive obesity treatments or limits on who can take them. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 Brigantine took inspiration from Portside Pier for The Landing concept, Morton said. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
In recent weeks, the weekly take was dropping to the $500,000 range, then $400,000 and then last week’s gross was a minuscule $380,052. Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025 In addition to grandmaster status, Myers is also a fourth degree in hosinsool, a self-defense technique used to protect, disarm and incapacitate an attacker, focusing on practicality to end a dangerous situation quickly with powerful strikes, locks and take-downs. Nicole Stracek, Twin Cities, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • Republicans hold a strong majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, holding 29 out of 35 seats in the Senate and 81 of 100 seats in the House.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Ellison held second place prior to earnings release Ellison’s rise comes a day after Forbes released its list of the world’s richest people.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kaivan Shroff, a 2024 delegate for Harris, said the former vice president has the right to tell the story of her campaign, as does Biden, who has conducted a few interviews and speeches since leaving office.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Kirk, a prominent voice in culture wars on college campuses, hosts a daily radio show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which ranks among the top 10 on Apple News’ list of top podcasts and has a strong Gen Z fan base.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Those in a market that can buy a version with a SIM tray will get a 3,988mAh battery.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
  • But offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo can manufacture easy touches for Brown to get him in rhythm early.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Lauren chose a golden, super-cinched Schiaparelli gown, while Jeff wore a classic tuxedo.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This means regularly assessing your thinking skills, consciously choosing when to engage versus delegate mental tasks, and maintaining practices that keep your mind sharp.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Two tickets sold in California, two tickets bought in Georgia, and single tickets purchased in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania all matched five numbers except for the Powerball worth $1 million each.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Single tickets bought in Kansas and Texas each matched all five numbers except for the Powerball and added the Power Play worth $2 million each.
    Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • School officials say the district needs this money to continue important programs, such as all-day kindergarten and free breakfasts for all K-12 students, despite state and federal funding uncertainties.
    Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Rather than rendering aid or notifying emergency personnel, Sellers told co-workers that a ‘woman fell in the parking lot’ and needed help.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bayrou had argued that young people in France are being burdened with years of debt to accommodate boomers.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Lovevook Tote features a padded laptop compartment and multiple interior pockets, accommodating everything from a wallet to lip gloss.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How do these different agencies work together?
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The mixer's bowl boasts a distinctive walnut shade and wood grain pattern, and its food-safe seal means the bowl works hard (and looks good doing it).
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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