to absorb

Examples

• All

• And the icing did absorb most of the smoke.

• We do know, however, that information is best absorbed when we have a problem to solve.

  Academic text (1991)

• So does this material or the sun absorb light easier?

• But those molecules will still absorb some of that light.

  Lex Fridman

• So you can absorb some of these rays and save that heat for winter.

  Do the Right Thing (1989)

• And finally, they help digest and absorb nutrients.

  Dr. Sam Bailey

• Because children are more impressionable than adults, children absorb foreign cultures as parts of their own emerging culture.

  Academic text (2008)

• We end up by the river, its crimson waters absorbing light rather than reflecting it.

  Academic text (2008)

• Phytoplankton contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light in the blue and red.

  Academic text (2011)

• The sponge can absorb water quickly and efficiently during cleaning.

Synonyms

D

to draw

vsto absorb

357 3.0

Get information or lessons from a source

is the act of taking in matter, energy, or ideas directly

S

to suck

vsto absorb

346 1.0

To pull liquid into the mouth, for example with a straw

is the broader receiving action not limited to vacuum processes

C

to consume

vsto absorb

198 2.4

To eat or drink something

covers many kinds of intake beyond physical food and drink

S

to soak

vsto absorb

196 1.0

Make something very wet by putting it into water or other liquid

includes wetting but also nonliquid forms of taking in

I

to ingest

vsto absorb

76 3.6

To eat or drink something so it goes into your body

is wider, applying to liquids, energy, and abstract ideas too

D

to digest

vsto absorb

45 4.5

To think about new information until you understand it

is the initial intake action rather than the later processing step

S

to suck up

vsto absorb

40 4.3

To take in liquid or information

is more neutral and covers formal and informal intake contexts

T

to take in

vsto absorb

40 3.2

Understand new information or ideas

is wider, covering physical soaking and nonmental forms of intake

S

to soak up

vsto absorb

• Informal

36 3.9

To take in and enjoy the atmosphere or information

is a broader process of taking in various materials or ideas

D

to drink in

vsto absorb

13 5.1

To look at or listen to something with full attention and enjoy it

is the broader action of receiving substances, energy, or information

A

to assimilate

vsto absorb

12 5.5

Take in and understand new ideas or information

focuses on the act of taking in rather than full understanding

I

to imbibe

vsto absorb

10 7.4

Drink alcohol or absorb ideas and knowledge

is neutral and applies to many literal and figurative uptake situations

T

to take up

vsto absorb

6 3.2

To soak up liquid or learn and keep new information

is the general process of taking in rather than this accepting focus

S

to soak up knowledge

vsto absorb

• Informal

2 4.0

To take in new information quickly and easily

is the general action of taking in substances or ideas broadly

S

to sop up

vsto absorb

1 3.7

To take in liquid or things like information and feelings

is broader, including many materials and metaphorical intake types

O

to osmose

vsto absorb

1 9.0

Slowly and without noticing, people get ideas or habits from others

is the general taking-in action, not necessarily slow or unconscious

S

to sponge up

vsto absorb

1 3.7

To take liquid from a surface using something like a cloth

covers many ways of taking in, not only with an absorbent object

Antonyms

E

to emit

128 4.4

Send out light, heat, sound or gas

R

release

76 3.6

The act of letting a liquid, gas, or energy flow out

E

to expel

26 5.0

Push out a substance, for example gas from a body or container

How Absorbent

to saturate

8 5.2

to absorb

315 3.0

to take in

32 3.0

Surface Forms

Etymology