to absorb

Examples

• All

• 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?

  The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

• We have absorbed some extraordinary testimony today.

  The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

• 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

A

to accept

vsto absorb

54 2.5

To agree to pay someone else's bills or debts

describes covering costs someone else first incurred rather than just agreeing

P

to pick up

vsto absorb

34 2.8

To pay for something, often for someone else

implies taking on or paying costs rather than just a casual single payment

A

to assume

vsto absorb

• Specialized

31 3.7

Agree to pay someone else's debts or costs

focuses specifically on paying costs originally incurred by someone else

F

to foot the bill

vsto absorb

• Informal

26 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

T

to take over

vsto absorb

1 3.7

Agree to pay another person's debts or bills

is about paying costs specifically rather than wider obligations

Antonyms

R

to refuse

∞ 1.7

To say no to a request or offer

How Responsible

to underwrite

• Specialized

3 7.5

to absorb

15 4.9

to shoulder

31 4.6

to cover

865 1.9

to contribute

846 2.7

Surface Forms

Etymology