1
as in lifted
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in borrowed
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 took up
To the stranger who was Jesse Jackson To the political class that took up most of his time, Dad was a stranger awaiting a return phone call, reminding the political class of the urgency of the hour.
—
Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The girls started coming when the Neelemans took up farming in 2017.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
The dogs took up the scent at once.
—Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Martinez’s attorneys took up the battle to get evidence released in early January following the killing of Renee Good by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis under circumstances eerily similar to Martinez’s shooting.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
But FOToS took up the most oxygen last year; its author, a two-time winner here, certainly will earn his third.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the lawsuit claims oil companies began in the 1980s to halt their research on advanced battery chemistries and hybrid electric motors, withheld market-ready hybrid engine prototypes and took up patent litigation to stifle innovators.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The 49ers took up residence in Santa Clara in 1988 after moving from Redwood City, with Levi’s Stadium to follow on site in 2014.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The band Buffalo Springfield took up residence in the 1960s, and Neil Young returned to the site in the 1970s with his band Crazy Horse, according to reporting from SF Gate.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The girls started coming when the Neelemans took up farming in 2017.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
The dogs took up the scent at once.
—Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Martinez’s attorneys took up the battle to get evidence released in early January following the killing of Renee Good by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis under circumstances eerily similar to Martinez’s shooting.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
But FOToS took up the most oxygen last year; its author, a two-time winner here, certainly will earn his third.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the lawsuit claims oil companies began in the 1980s to halt their research on advanced battery chemistries and hybrid electric motors, withheld market-ready hybrid engine prototypes and took up patent litigation to stifle innovators.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The 49ers took up residence in Santa Clara in 1988 after moving from Redwood City, with Levi’s Stadium to follow on site in 2014.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The band Buffalo Springfield took up residence in the 1960s, and Neil Young returned to the site in the 1970s with his band Crazy Horse, according to reporting from SF Gate.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up
Verb
-
My evident happiness was catching, and my mother, too, was lifted out of her depression.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Golden State put up a fight — lifted by the energy of Malevy Leons and strong play from Podziemski and Porzingis — to cut the deficit to just 13 going into the final quarter.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The two fan clubs drank beers and ate food together ahead of the match at PayPal Park.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
However, in the mirror universe, these Actors-on-Actors town halls have been appointment viewing ever since Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon promoted The Departed together in 2007 and got into a shouting match over Wahlberg’s accusation that Damon had never drank a Dunkin’ coffee in his life.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fresh off her Chanel Paris Fashion Week appearance on March 9, Taylor also borrowed from Schiaparelli’s runway for her accessories.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The word kombuis, borrowed from Dutch, originally meant a galley.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As of this week, the effort had raised $3,855.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Michigan City United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association, which sponsors the event, has raised more than $130,000 in the last 18 years alone, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The Kruununhaka district was once the ‘crown’s paddocks’, although as the city has grown, it’s been absorbed into the downtown area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Each time, the UAE absorbed the shock, adapted, and accelerated.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz adopted a more critical stance.—
SYLVIE CORBET,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
At issue are California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which were adopted in 2022 and established several requirements for automakers, including the 2035 zero-emission sales mandate.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This has elevated the need for specialists who are not only knowledgeable about destinations but also adept at managing the complexities of today's travel environment.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Known for layered interiors infused with cinematic flair, Durham Ranch is quintessential Fulk—his distinctly Western take on Americana, elevated with chic accents and designed with entertaining in mind.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One big studio is about to get swallowed up by another.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Last year, a massive sinkhole swallowed a truck in a city outside Tokyo, trapping the driver inside for more than 24 hours.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20up. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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