English dictionary



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English verb: absorb

1. absorb (contact) become imbued


SamplesThe liquids, light, and gases absorb.


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)sorb, take up


Narrower (hyponym)assimilate, imbibe, reabsorb, resorb


Domain categorychemical science, chemistry

2. absorb (cognition) take up mentally


SamplesHe absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe.


Synonymsassimilate, ingest, take in


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)acquire, larn, learn


Narrower (hyponym)imbibe

3. absorb (possession) take up, as of debts or payments


SamplesAbsorb the costs for something.


Synonymstake over


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)fund

4. absorb (contact) take in, also metaphorically


SamplesThe sponge absorbs water well.
She drew strength from the minister's words.


Synonymsdraw, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck, suck up, take in, take up


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)blot, mop, mop up, sponge up, wipe up

5. absorb (change) cause to become one with


SamplesThe sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax.


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)blend, coalesce, combine, commingle, conflate, flux, fuse, immix, meld, merge, mix

6. absorb (weather) suck or take up or in


SamplesA black star absorbs all matter.


Synonymstake in


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)suck, suck in


Antonymsgive out, emit, give off

7. absorb (cognition) devote (oneself) fully to


SamplesHe immersed himself into his studies.


Synonymsengross, engulf, immerse, plunge, soak up, steep


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody PP


Broader (hypernym)center, centre, concentrate, focus, pore, rivet


Narrower (hyponym)drink, drink in


Verb groupimmerse, plunge

8. absorb (contact) assimilate or take in


SamplesThe immigrants were quickly absorbed into society.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)invite, receive, take in

9. absorb (cognition) consume all of one's attention or time


SamplesHer interest in butterflies absorbs her completely.


ExamplesThe performance is likely to absorb Sue


Synonymsengage, engross, occupy


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)interest


Narrower (hyponym)consume, involve, rivet









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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