taken up

Definition of taken upnext
past participle of take up
1
2
as in absorbed
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 taken up Most of the ground floor's space is taken up by the kitchen, which occupies the center of the home. Adam Williams april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026 With airfares and fees on the rise, consumers still can make choices that determine how much of their travel budgets will get taken up by paying to get to and from their destinations. ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026 An almost identical policy was originally taken up during a lengthy Plymouth Select Board meeting in January. Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026 Politics consequently occupies much of the space for leftists that is usually taken up by family, religion, career and community for conservatives. Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026 History of Wimberley Established as a trading post by settlers in 1848, the area was previously home to Native Americans and later frequented by Spanish conquistadors who had taken up in nearby San Antonio. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026 Since the 2022 Games in Beijing, the Chinese government announced that around 313 million people had taken up ice and snow sports, or related leisure activities. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 The former prince spirited off from the Royal Lodge in the middle of the night and has reportedly taken up residence in a cottage in Sandringham. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026 So my attention was taken up with wiping off the counter and the tiles, and remaking the coffee. Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken up
Verb
  • Sheehan allowed a single to Moisés Ballesteros with one out and was lifted after throwing a career-high 101 pitches with a 4-0 lead.
    Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The mother then lifted the toddler out of the water while the otter continued attacking and bit her arm.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the Iranians, in their resistance, have absorbed the kind of damage to the country that is extremely difficult to recover from.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026
  • This can reduce how much protein is absorbed.
    Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This was borrowed directly from American sports reporters, with their propensity to exaggerate to make a point, often by citing absurd numbers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • In photos shared by his parents, Joaquin sported a sleek black tuxedo, borrowed from his dad!
    Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In that moment, Caldentey looked up, assessed the situation, and raised her right arm.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • These questions were raised after reporting by The New York Times in August 2024 regarding Moore’s untruthful claims about receiving the Bronze Star in Afghanistan — a story originally reported on in 2022 by FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Route 66 became official when the country adopted the numbered highway system in November of that year.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • HSAs are available only to consumers with a high-deductible health plan, which employers have steadily adopted since the early 2000s.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Thankfully, the Dark Sky movement is growing as more people become aware of the issue and learn about simple and cost-effective ways that can be embraced to reverse the course of destroying our night skies.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • At the New York City premiere on April 13, Hathaway embraced a futuristic, sculptural aesthetic on the red carpet, turning heads in a sheer gown that played with light and movement.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Having played British spies, lords, WWII fighters pilots and even wrestlers, Jack Lowden has now taken on his most contemporary role to date.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In Africa, future plans to build reactors have taken on urgency, with Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa affirming their support.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Taken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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