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

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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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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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
Where to Buy Mickey 17 Behind-The-Scenes Book Online Also dropping on Tuesday, April 8, The Art and Making of Mickey 17 hardcover book from publisher Insight Editions takes a deep dive on how the story went from the novel to the big screen. Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 After the announcement of the acquisition, China took its turn to apply the pressure. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Well, believe it or not, each of Adolescence's four episodes was filmed in a single, unbroken take. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025 According to The Numbers, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera earned $36 million domestically and $20 million internationally for a worldwide box office take of $56 million. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • About two dozen people held signs lambasting the billionaire outside a dealership in London as passing cars and trucks tooted horns in support.
    Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The Kremlin holds some three-quarters of Zaporizhzhia and has illegally declared its complete annexation.
    Tim Lister and Maria Kostenko, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Devil May Cry has this raw, untamed cool that most video games can’t touch.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Downsides While apple cider vinegar has potential benefits, taking it before bed can have some downsides.
    Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • This was Spoelstra’s team playing just eight when the game was in the balance and getting the best from all eight, including a season-high19 points from Kyle Anderson and 16 points from Pelle Larsson.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Change begins when both name those patterns and choose new ones, together.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Meteorologists there had to choose between gathering information that will help in the future and warning about immediate danger.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Then again, Republicans aren’t buying the Cybertruck en masse.
    Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Scores of media companies buy tables at the annual dinner, and many hold their own receptions surrounding the event.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Jones will need to undoubtedly run a personal best in the 100-meters to walk home with $100,000.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Azaleas may need watering daily at first then after several months every two to three days.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Padilla said officials recognized the need and have planned for equipment to be shipped to accommodate private attorney calls.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article Solana Beach has issued permits for 178 out of 875 housing units that the city needs to accommodate as part of the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, but none yet for very low income units, according to an annual update at the March 26 City Council meeting.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The pair worked closely together while Dolan was on the board of directors for Catholic Charities Twin Cities from 2012 to 2017.
    Brian Brant, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Jonah Bride worked the count full before getting ball 4, and Graham Pauley cleared the bases with a deep double to left field.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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