1
as in lifting
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
2
as in drinking
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
3
as in borrowing
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
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Recent Examples of taking up
Because of inflation and changing consumer habits, many big name retailers have been forced to reduce their store footprints, with e-commerce taking up a higher bulk of sales.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than having cluttered and mismatched products taking up precious space, Hamid recommends unifying products.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Parking and taking up numerous spots is obviously an issue.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
Rather than having cluttered and mismatched products taking up precious space, Hamid recommends unifying products.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Parking and taking up numerous spots is obviously an issue.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
Instead of taking up that bill, the House Budget Committee offers its own.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up
Verb
-
Classical music groups in the Twin Cities are rising to the task, with offerings aimed at lifting the spirit, probing the soul, and creating a hopeful vision forward.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jude, a 12-year-old who gets injured in a firework accident, had been drinking with older kids while dealing with instability at home.—
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Patricia explains the process and reminds the woman that drinking coffee before the screening can affect the results.—
Lisa Hughes,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
High bond yields make borrowing more expensive for average Americans, since 10-year Treasury rates influence the rates offered for a variety of loans, including mortgages and credit cards.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The jump in mortgage rates has made borrowing money for a home notably more expensive.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the arc — first raising expectations for a big reveal, then declaring there was nothing to see, and ultimately a forced, flawed document dump — was a stubbornly problematic storyline that ran through her time as attorney general.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Despite recent rain and snow in Northern California, state water officials say the Sierra snowpack remains near historic lows, raising concerns about water availability during the hot summer months.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Individuals interested in adopting are encouraged to visit the shelter at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood, Maryland.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Secrets triumphs two to one despite Bannon adopting her own dirty tricks.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Arthur Brooks, in particular, has made a career of elevating his noncommittal waffling into a warped kind of virtue.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Smith is a Marine Corps Purple Heart veteran and an ordained minister whose work challenges traditional monuments by elevating the stories of everyday heroes and historical figures, city officials said in the news release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline topping a multiyear high of $4 a gallon, according to AAA, inflation-weary commuters are having a tough time absorbing the energy shock.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Florida nonprofit Veterans Cannabis Care addresses this directly, absorbing 100% of both physician and state certification fees for qualifying veterans.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With passionate fans, rising stars, and a city embracing the spotlight, March Madness in Sacramento is delivering exactly what its name promises.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The biggest switch was embracing a long putter after his traditional one produced a five-putt hole.—
Jay Paris,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20up. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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