Skip to main content
to absorb

to absorb

60 4.9
To pay a cost that someone else would have to pay
  • verb
  • /əbˈzɔrb/
translation icon : asumir
  • Since then, he has been trying to help the republic absorb the economic shocks of Moscow's embargo.
  • absorb the costs
  • absorb the increase
  • absorb economic shocks

So default starts with the leases defaulting and then the landlord absorb some of that.

Examples

  • To ensure a smooth transition, the government will absorb the initial expenses for the new program.

  • Do we have a massive fund to absorb all those claims?

  • The Chancellor said, and I quote, we can absorb such changes.

  • How exactly is that supposed to help my company absorb Wayne's?

  • We have absorbed some extraordinary testimony today.

  • And yes, Google is a massively profitable company that could simply absorb YouTube's losses.

  • Last year, East and Southeast Asia absorbed one-third of the total $422 billion in U.S. exports.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The company decided to absorb the costs of the project to support its employees.

  • After the merger, the organization will absorb the debts incurred by the smaller firm.

Synonyms

to accept
vsto absorb
79 2.5

To agree to pay someone else's bills or debts

describes covering costs someone else first incurred rather than just agreeing
to pick up
vsto absorb
77 2.8

To pay for something, often for someone else

implies taking on or paying costs rather than just a casual single payment
to take over
vsto absorb
42 3.7

Agree to pay another person's debts or bills

is about paying costs specifically rather than wider obligations
to assume
vsto absorb
  • Specialized
36 3.7

Agree to pay someone else's debts or costs

focuses specifically on paying costs originally incurred by someone else
to foot the bill
vsto absorb
  • Informal
29 5.3

To pay for something, often when it is expensive or unexpected

covers taking on costs first incurred by someone else not only large bills

Antonyms

716 1.7

To say no to a request or offer

How Responsible

to underwrite
  • Specialized
4 7.5
to absorb
60 4.9
to shoulder
30 4.6
to cover
1.9
to contribute
883 2.7

Surface Forms

absorb infinitive
absorbed past
absorbed past participle
absorbing present participle
absorbs third person singular

Etymology

Absorb comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and sorbere 'to suck in', so to absorb a cost is to 'take it in' yourself. That's why when a company absorbs expenses, it pays them instead of passing them on.