TAKING UP Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

taking up

verb

present participle of take up

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

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

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

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 taking up Bi is at work on a black gown with a veil, which Christian worries is taking up too much time. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 Engineers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are developing a new type of heatsink that could help electronics manage short bursts of intense heat while taking up significantly less space and weight. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 The model credits pasture for taking up carbon but does not count the carbon carried away in wool and livestock as leaving the system. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 One-and-done dressing means one less outfit to plan—and fewer pieces taking up precious suitcase space. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 Sort the list, prep the meal, or handle the task that has been quietly taking up brain space. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026 This is supportive energy for closure, rest, or releasing a feeling that has been taking up too much room behind the scenes. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 Indeed, so much so that there are suggestions that the people from better-off backgrounds are taking up many of the limited number of places. — Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Gen Z is taking up analog hobbies, ditching dating apps and spending real time at the mall again. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking up

Verb

Sauer argued that, with states beginning to mail ballots in the coming weeks, an order lifting the block on the USPS rule is needed as soon as possible to prevent confusion.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2026
The flattering design features a contoured waistband and medium compression for a shaping and lifting effect throughout.

— Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of lifting

Verb

Public health officials have cautioned for years that older adults are drinking more, and more often.

— Paula Span, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
This week’s newsletter looks at why people are drinking less alcohol, how the world judges America and how many people use chatbots like a friend.

— Scott Clement, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of drinking

Verb

Rouser said financial-aid counselors talk with students about borrowing responsibly and, when appropriate, using student-loan refunds to cover expenses beyond what the university bills them for.

— Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Schulz compared younger Americans increasing their credit scores with a new driver borrowing Mom or Dad’s car.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrowing

Verb

Yosemite records few rabid bats, with the last case in 2025, but other national parks have issued rabies alerts within days or weeks, raising fresh questions about Yosemite’s public-health communication.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
OpenAI’s latest model, Astra, does more thinking beyond human oversight, boosting capabilities but raising concerns about loss of control.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

The second piece is a shock-absorbing landing gear – 38 friction disks that soak up the force of impact so the drone doesn't bounce.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Parents may feel uncomfortable with how much technology their children are absorbing, but feel the need to trust the teachers.

— Perry Rettig, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorbing

Verb

The War Horse reported on VA-medical-center policies that recommended discharging most patients from therapy after just eight sessions (far too few, according to many providers), an approach that the VA has denied adopting.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Summary Travelers are rapidly adopting AI for trip planning, with over half already using it and 75% planning future use, significantly outpacing the industry.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopting

Verb

To help reduce irritation and discomfort, try lying on your side to reduce pressure on swollen veins and elevating your legs with a pillow to improve blood flow.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
But of all the wearable, outfit-elevating styles, there’s one that every generation keeps reaching for.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of elevating

Verb

The audiences are full of all kinds of people singing along, embracing songs on Dreamsicle even without much airplay or traditional support.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
But now, given the alternatives, embracing the stalemate is the best possible option for the United States.

— JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026