took up

Definition of took upnext
past tense of take up
1
2
as in drank
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

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 took up 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 Prevost took up his new role in Rome after Easter of that year. Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026 And Cook took up Hunt on the offer. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025 The other laureates, French economist Philippe Aghion and Canadian-American Peter Howitt, also took up the earlier work of renowned Austrian-American economist Joseph Schumpeter, from the first half of the 20th century, 150 years after Smith. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 Sybille Darricarrère Lunel, formerly of Dior and Galeries Lafayette, took up her role in July, succeeding acting CEO Ralph Toledano, who remains chairman of the company. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 The winger spent time with family and took up new sports in golf and padel during his downtime. Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 None of them took up the offer from the production team. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Sep. 2025 Flaws in medical devices were not a new concept that the 2023 guidance took up. Christian Espinosa, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took up
Verb
  • By Saturday the ban was lifted, but several vacationers were forced into extended vacations waiting for their next trip home.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Or at least the craziest until Malinin began doing on ice back flips during the 2024-25 season after the International Skating Union, the sport’s global governing body, lifted a ban on the stunt.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The first urban inhabitants drank wine, a recent archaeological survey found, after discovering the rare wine press near Tel Megiddo in Israel’s north.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The two had spent hours chatting as Shamblin drank hard ciders on a remote Texas roadside.
    Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Giffords wore a recycled Vera Wang gown borrowed from a family friend, a choice that reflected her commitment to environmental sustainability.
    Ilana Frost, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Wheelchair-accessible ramps and pathways are located throughout the resort, and beach wheelchairs can be borrowed at the Coronado lifeguard station.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Republicans, who hold a super-minority in the Legislature and have long raised concerns about taxes and regulations overburdening California businesses, will likely oppose any tax bills.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Funds raised during the 2025 Grammy Awards telecast, MusiCares’ Persons of the Year event and additional fundraising efforts were used to help deal with housing instability, interrupted income, physical health complications and ongoing trauma.
    David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Like all of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, it was filtered through charcoal before barreling, part of the Lincoln County process, but only through three feet instead of the usual 10 feet according to Fletcher (there’s less corn in the mashbill, and therefore less oil to be absorbed).
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Holding inventory becomes more expensive as carrying costs rise, and those costs either need to be recouped when selling to retailers or absorbed.
    Amalia Roy, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Arlene adopted Aileen in 1991 Arlene and her husband, Robert, adopted Aileen in 1991, after she was arrested and incarcerated.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • It was officially adopted with a two-thirds vote requirement in 1917.
    George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • He is elevated, isolated, burdened, deified--positioned as an emblem.
    Philip Martin, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
  • When Washington famously refused the power that could have come with such popular esteem, the move only elevated that esteem.
    Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some disappeared from the city and were swallowed up in the Yeoman hinterland.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
  • And businesses that have so far swallowed the tariffs without raising prices may not be able to for much longer.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Took up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20up. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

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