TAKE Synonyms: 549 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

take 1 of 2

verb

ˈtāk

Definition of take

as in to hold

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

as in to have

to agree to receive whether willingly or reluctantly will you take that call? took a cut in pay

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as in to get

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

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as in to choose

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

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as in to buy

to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for I'll take two cheeseburgers to go, please

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as in to need

to have as a requirement it will take a lot of courage to stand up for what is right

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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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as in to work

to produce a desired effect it will be a few hours before this medication takes

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as in to stand

to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't take anymore of your whining about your former boyfriend

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as in to believe

to regard as right or true I think we can take his word for it

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as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over I know we can take that team

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as in to manage

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently let's take each problem separately

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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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as in to kill

to deprive of life I never thought heart disease would take such an athletic and health-conscious person

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take

2 of 2

noun

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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The same judge found Romo guilty of the OWI charge and took away his driving privileges for six months. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Addressing the challenging macroeconomic backdrop, Burke said the group was taking a long-term view, noting that market cycles are temporary. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

According to the video creator, Wilson and Valdespino ran back their at-bat, as Wilson had struck out on a pitch that should have been a ball in the first take. — Rashad Alexander august 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 First presented at the tail end of sessions for 2023’s In Times New Roman, it was captured on the second of just two takes, preserving a loose, instinctive performance from Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take

Recent Examples of Synonyms for take

Verb

Namely, a forgiving elastic waistband, a breezy, lightweight feel, and pockets that are actually deep enough to hold your essentials.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

When the earnings release first hit the tape, the stock initially moved higher by a couple of percentage points, only to reverse course before the conference call even got underway.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
But then Sandy stops by for a friendly chat, and his daughter Nina (Zosia Mamet, ice-cold and slightly underused) gets serious.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

Shop the Patio Zen Deck Box in black or gray and choose from 16 capacities ranging from 30 to 320 gallons.

— Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Festivalgoers were never forced to choose between artists, as sets were separated by 10-minute breaks, preventing overlap.

— Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of choose

Verb

Yes, Minteh and Sarr both operate on the right and buying one of them arguably would have provided a better balance to Iraola’s attacking department given that his other wide players prefer the left flank.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
What makes Cypress Solar so valuable are the renewable energy credits Google will buy from Entergy.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of buy

Verb

Patterson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, has experience at guard and center, and the 49ers needed a backup at both spots considering Toth’s lingering concussion symptoms.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Any business, town or development group needs this data informing their decisions.

— Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of need

Verb

Simmer said there’s enough geographic diversity in the league to hold games in February because warm weather markets are able to accommodate them.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The various configurations allow the property to accommodate a range of needs, budgets, and even levels of privacy, making the experience that much more customizable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of accommodate

Verb

That's because the sink and invisible dual-burner induction cooktop are concealed below a sliding top that works just like a bar or table when retracted.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Upon the Lincoln’s arrival in the morning, service members could be seen working aboard the deck as loudspeakers played announcements about the process for disembarkation.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of work

Phrases Containing take

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taipans

take

take aback

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Articles Related to take

Cite this Entry

Style

“Take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of take

verb

noun

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'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Where Do 'Hot Takes' Come From?

Spit Take

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