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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
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
More: Dismantling agencies and firing workers: How Trump is redefining relations with Congress and courts Frustrated with unfavorable court decisions, the administration has taken an increasingly hostile stance to the federal bench. Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025 As a major recipient of Pentagon contracts, Musk took a special interest in defending the nomination of Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, as Secretary of Defense. Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Noun
James had the most infectious joy and positivity every take. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025 Their take from the president’s recent crypto ventures is difficult to pin down, but also potentially the largest profit center. Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take
Verb
  • The Tribune is not identifying the other three candidates as the interviews are still in progress and some currently hold positions elsewhere.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
  • Other Watch Auctions As a point of reference, the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, held May 10 and 11 in Switzerland, was a distinguished event with 188 lots sold, totaling $52,196,552.
    Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Billy has had an illustrious career over the years.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • As symbols of Floyd’s place in history have faded, so too have hopes for federal police reform, commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion and American optimism about the future of racial justice.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
  • Shares of the company got a little boost from the interest signaled by the poison pill and gained 3.2 percent to $23.51 in premarket trading on Tuesday.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • There are two classe s to choose from every Tuesday -- 9:15-11:15 a.m. and 5:30-7:15 p.m.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2025
  • Direct or indirect, these are tax dollars the government is choosing to forego.
    Cory Turner, NPR, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • And Treat Powdery Mildew On Plants How To Use Neem Oil Most gardeners buy neem oil in a ready-to-use spray, but it can be purchased as a concentrate.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2025
  • The winner bought the $10 ticket at a Circle K in Chickamauga, near the Georgia-Tennessee state line, the lottery said in a May 27 news release.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Humans, specifically, need tryptophan to produce serotonin and melatonin, which respectively regulate mood and sleep.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • Key Takeaways Compost piles that smell bad usually have poor airflow, excess moisture, or an imbalance of ingredients that needs to be corrected.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Each block is meant to accommodate a building with ground-floor storefronts topped by either residential units or office space and each with its own parking structure.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • Bleacher capacity will increase from 1,886 people to 2,750 to accommodate larger crowds for football games, future graduation ceremonies and band competitions.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The job demanded long hours on my feet and working with my hands.
    Health, Health, 20 May 2025
  • Truman graduated from Texas Tech six months ago and now works for the Texas Senate under Senator Brian Birdwell on the border security committee.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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