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

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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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
Outreach workers have already started visiting people in an undisclosed street camp to direct them to housing, a process expected to take four to six weeks for each site, Haring-Cozzi said. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025 The National Weather Service reminds people to take extra precautions during elevated temperatures. Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
Noun
While some market followers may agree with Trump’s take that Powell and the Federal Open Market Committee are reacting too slowly to economic data, no analyst or investor wants to see the independence of the central bank threatened. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 July 2025 Eastwood worked fast, priding himself on the ability to reduce shoot days to a minimum, and doing a scant number of takes. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 15 July 2025
  • Dreck is intended to highlight that rules are not alone in the regulatory universe, and urge that policymakers recognize and be held to account for the laundering of regulation by non-rule means to influence outcomes or inflict obligations, whether intentional or not.
    Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Moose Tracks ice cream borrows name from miniature golf Created in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, known for its moose population, in the 1990s, the iconic flavor Moose Tracks, has a base of vanilla ice cream with fudge swirl and peanut butter cups.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
  • According to Patrick Brady, the director, having a research center rather than a group of independently operating scientists can help guide a long-term vision for research.
    Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    EW.com, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Symptoms of the disease, which can take up to 14 days after exposure to show up, include: Cough Fever Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath The disease can be treated with antibiotics, and most healthy people who get infected usually get better, but complications are possible.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Southwest passengers now have to choose between four different price tiers of tickets when booking a flight: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
  • In the summer, visitors can choose from an ice-cold mountain water dip or a slow drift on their backs down the large stream with stunning views of the historical inner city.
    Lea Dlugosch, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • The winner, who chose to stay anonymous, bought the ticket at a QuickTrip gas station, at 2051 FM 663 in Midlothian, the release states.
    Samara Gerstle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
  • The legislation, in part, calls for a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Inside the operating room To correct his spine, John needed rods placed on either side of his spinal column along 13 vertebrae.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • Any changes to the zoning code or other policies will need separate council votes.
    Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • With four main assembly lines and space for a fifth, the plant can accommodate up to 250 people per shift.
    Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025
  • The boat can accommodate up to 12 guests and will be crewed by nine, most having double duties like stew/masseuse, deckhand/physical trainer, engineer/yoga instructor.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Kathleen Kovach, who previously worked for Summit County's victim assistance program (2003).
    Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
  • The start-up, which is today announcing a $9 million funding round, says its agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help leading market research firms work more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before.
    David Prosser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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