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 officer — whose name has not been released — and his horse quickly took up the chase that was captured on his bodycam and also by a television news crew that happened to be in the area for an unrelated story. ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 Hickey walks to support 7-year-old Lucy Dina Hickey took up an extra journey from Suffolk County's Wading River to Staten Island to support 7-year-old Lucy Dina. Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 The court took up the issue at Wednesday’s hearing. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took 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
  • O’Sullivan shared dinners with the family, drank with the man’s parents, and would pray with and counsel them, Baillie said.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2026
  • O’Keefe family members had between the two criminal trials filed a civil suit against Read and two bars where Read and O’Keefe had drank the night ahead of his death.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 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
  • 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
  • Cambodian lawmakers unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations with up to life in prison, following a government pledge to shut down the centers by the end of April.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Under legislation adopted in 2023, those documents are publicly filed on the secretary of state’s campaign finance website.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When a transaction is elevated from review by a state economic agency to consideration by a party national security body, the calculus changes.
    Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The casual style is elevated with details like a chest pocket, crew neckline, cuffed cap sleeves, and a slight A-line silhouette that provides a flattering shape.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Early in the season, Johnson would have rather swallowed a Fiesta cascarone whole than play both of his inexperienced rookies at the same time.
    Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Near the lake that has swallowed Van Buren, someone has constructed an outlet called Heirloom Traditions Company Store.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Took up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20up. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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