take 1 of 2

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as in to accommodate
to make or have room for I think we can take two more in this elevator

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8
as in to work
to produce a desired effect it will be a few hours before this medication takes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to receive
to offer entrance (as to a place, school, or privilege) to the school takes only a small percentage of the thousands of applicants

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take

2 of 2

noun

1
as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior what's your take on the announcement that the senior vice president is taking an early retirement?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in yield
the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time who will win the poker tournament and collect the whole take?

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as in share
something belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual member of a group because there were so many winners of the jackpot, each person's take will be smaller than expected

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as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play) despite its contemporary setting, this take on King Lear isn't particularly novel or insightful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word take different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of take are clutch, grab, grasp, seize, and snatch. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

In what contexts can clutch take the place of take?

In some situations, the words clutch and take are roughly equivalent. However, clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of take?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Where would grasp be a reasonable alternative to take?

While the synonyms grasp and take are close in meaning, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When is seize a more appropriate choice than take?

While in some cases nearly identical to take, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of take?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

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 take
Verb
But take another second and pick up a few greeting cards, too. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025 For 41 years, the policy has served as a partisan touchpoint in American politics, with each party taking opposite stances. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
Details behind this new take are being kept under wraps. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025 The monthly takes have been $11,969,318 in 21 days of March; $18,945,301 in April; $11,354,462 in May; $7,254,407 in June; $7,600,687 in July; $7,600,687 in August; $12,611,330 in September; $8,758,757 in October; and $14,057,587 in November. Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for take 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • She’s currently being held without bail at the Lawrence County Jail.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
  • While there are no ongoing talks, Maharlika would be interested to acquire shares held by China’s State Grid in the Philippine grid operator should the mainland company decide to sell, Consing said.
    Ian Sayson, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Just one watchmaker assembles each piece, which has 270 components and requires 5,000 hours of work.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Love Island, meanwhile, aired its sixth season last summer and has a number of spinoffs.
    Peter White, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The more viewers get their news from apps, the harder television producers have to shake those keys.
    Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Rather than revolutionizing its industry through bold, innovative, and risky endeavors, Toyota chose incremental but relentless improvement.
    H. James Wilson and Paul R. Daugherty, Harvard Business Review, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Sasaki was highly coveted across Major League Baseball once his bidding period opened up, but chose the reigning World Series champions as his next team.
    Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Carson bought this car brand new from Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills near the tail end of his award-winning, 30-year-run as host of NBC’s The Tonight Show.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Read on to see what items our readers bought in droves this month.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In such cases, the Baseball Writers' Association of America needs to step in after reviewing every ballot.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Hegseth needs a simple majority in the Senate to be confirmed, and in the event of a tie, Vice President JD Vance can break it.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Each train is designed to accommodate over 400 passengers and will operate at speeds reaching up to 350 kilometers per hour (217 mph).
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Inside, the open floor plan is perfect for family gatherings, with spacious living areas that easily accommodate both intimate get-togethers and lively celebrations.
    Cece Lesesne, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Some, including President Trump, have wondered if those working on air traffic control had been hired based on DEI goals, rather than professional qualifications.
    Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025
  • In 2024, for example, Super Bowl viewers saw Danny DeVito join Arnold Schwarzenegger for State Farm; Pete Davidson work with Kate McKinnon for Hellmann’s; Heidi Gardner and Dan Levy pair up for Homes.com; and Chris Pratt pitch Pringles.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near take

Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

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