absorbs

verb

present tense third-person singular of absorb
1
as in drinks
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 occupies
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in integrates
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in consumes
to make complete use of cleaning the house absorbed the rest of his energy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in tolerates
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 absorbs Instead of entering the bloodstream through a shot, the peptide absorbs across the tissue lining the mouth. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The work focuses on a loss mechanism known as Boltzmann loss, which occurs because a material that absorbs light can also emit it. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 That runoff waters the plants and filters pollutants as the soil absorbs it. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 The merchant processes the transaction and absorbs the associated costs. — Ken Nizam, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 The oil itself applies with a buttery glide, absorbs in five seconds, and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026 The former—a dark blue microfiber on the outer part of the cloth—breaks up bigger pieces of grime, while the light blue microfiber on the inner part traps and absorbs dirt. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 There could still be some volatility as the market absorbs shares newly eligible for trading following the latest post-IPO lockup expiration. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Speaking of family, this lotion absorbs very quickly, so your little ones won’t have any uncomfortable sticky residue to complain about. — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absorbs
  1. drinks
  2. occupies
  3. integrates
  4. consumes
  5. tolerates
  6. swallows
  7. immerses
  8. incorporates
Verb
  • The impression is of a raucous house party—one in which secrets are spilled, kisses are stolen, and everyone drinks far too much.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Current law says that if an accuser knowingly and willingly drinks too much, there is no crime for someone else to take advantage of the accuser’s incapacitation.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of drinks
Verb
  • The Sun occupies only a small area of the sky, meaning incoming sunlight reaches a solar cell within a narrow angular cone.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Those words capture a central tension in the sprawling show, which occupies interconnected galleries at the far end of the museum’s Resnick Pavilion.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of occupies
Verb
  • The demonstration was supported by PartyOS, RoboParty’s open research and development platform for humanoid robotics, which integrates the company’s UFO framework.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The current product line integrates the VPN into the main Avira suite.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of integrates
Verb
  • The chips are power-hungry (a ChatGPT AI query consumes about ten times as much energy as a normal Google search) and also generate a lot of heat, which requires cooling systems.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Maneuvering consumes energy, and atmospheric flight produces substantial heating and drag.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of consumes
Verb
  • That also suggests the league accepts, or at least tolerates, the flag-heavy officiating that has come to define the early months of the season.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Vietnam's communist government tolerates little dissent and tightly controls the media.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerates
Verb
  • Social Security swallows nearly a quarter of the federal budget and is less than a decade away from insolvency.
    — Andrew G. Biggs, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
  • If your dog swallows these fibers, it can get caught up in the digestive tract like hair in plumbing and create a blockage.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of swallows
Verb
  • Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon is a riverside accommodation that immerses guests in the works of local artists, with 100 waterfront sculptures comprising a large-scale art installation and an on-site gallery.
    — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In Nobody Wants This, agnostic podcaster Joanne Williams (Kristen Bell) begins an unexpected romance with Rabbi Noah Roklov (Brody), which shakes both their families as Joanne immerses herself in Noah’s culture and decides to convert to Judaism.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of immerses
Verb
  • Dinner incorporates international influences and local seafood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Comedy Playground’s curriculum incorporates stand-up, led by Spies, which helps kids find their own voice, and improv, led by Katey Mushlin, which teaches them how to work with others and create meaningful bonds, Spies explained.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of incorporates

Browse Nearby Words

absorbing
absorbs
absorption
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Cite this Entry

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

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