1
as in held
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
take my hand, or we'll get separated in this crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in had
to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly
will you take that call? took a cut in pay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in got
to become affected with (a disease or disorder)
if you don't cover your head in this weather, you'll take cold and be stuck inside all weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in selected
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities
you can take the white side this time, since I got to be white for our last chess game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bought
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in required
to have as a requirement
it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in performed
to produce a desired effect
it will be a few hours before this medication takes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in stood
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in believed
to regard as right or true
I think we can take his word for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in stopped
to achieve a victory over
I know we can take that team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in treated
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
let's take each problem separately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in received
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to
the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in destroyed
to deprive of life
I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person
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 taken
One law enforcement official said a shooter opened fire and was taken into custody.
—
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the correspondents’ dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.
—Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
It’s taken me years to be able to overcome that psychology of self-loathing and victimhood.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Tran was playing in his second straight final, having taken the runner-up prize with Trevor Nguyen in 2025.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
He was then taken away in handcuffs, the source said.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2026
The race is best remembered for actions taken by the governor's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
After the vehicle was safely disabled, both men were taken into custody, according to police.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover, for example, was particularly taken with the terminator, the boundary between day and night on the moon.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Generally, the Hilton hotel, where the dinner has taken place for years, remains open to regular guests during the correspondents’ dinner, and security has typically been focused on the ballroom and rather than the hotel at large, with little screening for people not entering the dinner itself.
—Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
It’s taken me years to be able to overcome that psychology of self-loathing and victimhood.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Tran was playing in his second straight final, having taken the runner-up prize with Trevor Nguyen in 2025.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
He was then taken away in handcuffs, the source said.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2026
The race is best remembered for actions taken by the governor's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
After the vehicle was safely disabled, both men were taken into custody, according to police.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Glover, for example, was particularly taken with the terminator, the boundary between day and night on the moon.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Lions had 42 varsity players this year, including 22 girls.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The junior right-hander finally had some breathing room.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Luke Kornet got the Game 3 start against the Trail Blazers in Wembanyama’s absence, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Onyemata was one of the free-agent signings the Jets got the most praise for — a rock-solid veteran defensive tackle who can help in both the run and pass game.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That award, unlike most others, is selected solely by active players.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In his first varsity season, Jordan has learned how to navigate the intricacies required from the position.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Completion of this training is now required to obtain certification and aims to address knowledge gaps among retailers regarding the lawful use of the trademark.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Be sure to use the slider at the bottom of the page if their answers don’t fit the screen on your device.—
Mark Dee
April 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Elevators travel to all passenger decks, including the observation deck, and ramps have been fitted to midship doorways leading out to the promenade deck.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some of the greatest arias in the genre, performed flawlessly by Jonathan Tetelman.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Blue Origin New Glenn mission on payload Blue Ring’s first mission with initial injection into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), with additional services performed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO).—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alberts did not say it, but all signs point to the team moving to Plano for a new development where Willow Bend Mall was once stood.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Sheridan Road Holiday Club opened as a second location in 2001, but has stood alone for most of its history.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
