absorb

verb

əb-ˈsȯrb How to pronounce absorb (audio)
Definition of absorbnext
1
as in to drink
to take in (something liquid) through small openings most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to occupy
to hold the attention of chatting on the phone doesn't absorb me so much that I can't do something else at the same time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to integrate
to make a part of a body or system local schools will seek to absorb the new immigrants into the regular curriculum as quickly as possible

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4
as in to consume
to make complete use of cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to tolerate
to put up with (something painful or difficult) somehow she managed to absorb whatever hardships life offered

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 absorb These nuclei absorb laser light only when the frequency is precisely matched, allowing any decrease in absorption to trigger an automatic frequency readjustment. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, China’s state banks, although directed to prioritize technology lending, are absorbing rising non-performing loans elsewhere on their books, which could lead to weaker overall credit supply. — Alvin Yap, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 This one appears quick opaque and viscous, but actually does a nice job at melting down onto the skin and absorbing quickly. — Lucy Partington, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 Instead of entering the bloodstream through a shot, the peptide absorbs across the tissue lining the mouth. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absorb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absorb
  1. drink
  2. occupy
  3. integrate
  4. consume
  5. tolerate
  6. swallow
  7. immerse
  8. incorporate
Verb
  • Women should be able to drink at a party without being raped.
    — Jennifer Obel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Haymitch has a supporting role in the original franchise, appearing as the disillusioned, hard-drinking mentor of Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of drink
Verb
  • Expanding the Navy’s missile stockpile SM-6 occupies a key role in the Navy’s layered approach to air and missile defense.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The merchandising was reconsidered as well, with more open space, redesigned display cases and seating replacing cases that previously occupied the front windows.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of occupy
Verb
  • Operators can integrate new sensing and engagement capabilities as their requirements evolve.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Wiener’s tapestries integrate objects and fragments of her everyday life, among them, cutting boards, old shopping lists, newspapers, cables, and even cucumbers.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of integrate
Verb
  • That means an e-reader can display a page for hours while consuming essentially no display power between updates.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • According to a new report on eating patterns in America by market research company Circana, nearly half of US adults are actively trying to consume more protein, from bars to whey powder to chicken breasts night after night.
    — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of consume
Verb
  • Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Coaches are supposed to tell their players every season that hazing is wrong and won’t be tolerated.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Verb
  • But one of the biggest questions about their eventual direction is whether Edey is their center of the future … or whether the injuries that limited him to just 11 games last season will swallow up the behemoth big man’s career.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The more exaggerated interpretations, with oversized collars that swallow the chin or heavy embellishment, are the ones most at risk of looking dated once the search curve bends.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of swallow
Verb
  • Few of her words survived the torrents of sound in which they were immersed; as with certain Grouper recordings, the lyrics emerged as texture more than syntax.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Both clubs sit on hills surrounded by pine trees, offering a cool escape from the city and a novel way to immerse yourself in something that has become a fixture of 2026 Medellín.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of immerse
Verb
  • Chefs incorporate local cedar and sustainable resources like coconut husks to create coal.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework is intended to improve organizations’ ability to incorporate trustworthiness considerations into the design, development, use and evaluation of AI systems.
    — Tara Youngblood, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of incorporate

Browse Nearby Words

absolving
absorb
absorbable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Absorb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absorb. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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