soak up
phrasal verb
soaked up; soaking up; soaks up
1
: to take in (liquid) : absorb
The rag soaked up most of the water.
2
: to enjoy feeling or experiencing (something pleasant) in usually a slow or relaxed way
We went to the beach and soaked up the sun/sunshine all afternoon.
I sat at my table for an hour soaking up the atmosphere of the café.
The performers stood on the stage, soaking up the applause.
3
: to learn and remember (something) quickly
He eagerly soaked up every word she said.
She has an ability to soak up new information very quickly.
4
: to use a large amount of (money, supplies, etc.)
This project is soaking up resources that could be used elsewhere.
Examples of soak up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The large terrace is the ideal place for soaking up the dramatic sunsets.
—
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Aside from soaking up the art and history of the island, eating my way through the city is something that still lingers on my mind (and my tastebuds).
—Danielle Robles, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2025
Cooking eggplant perfectly takes some finesse—who among us hasn’t watched helplessly as too-thick slices soak up oceans of olive oil and emerge soggy and undercooked?
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2025
That’s the role Adams figures to fill with the Twins, soaking up multiple low-leverage innings at a time.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for soak up
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Aside from soaking up the art and history of the island, eating my way through the city is something that still lingers on my mind (and my tastebuds).
—Danielle Robles, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2025
Cooking eggplant perfectly takes some finesse—who among us hasn’t watched helplessly as too-thick slices soak up oceans of olive oil and emerge soggy and undercooked?
—Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2025
That’s the role Adams figures to fill with the Twins, soaking up multiple low-leverage innings at a time.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for soak up
Cite this Entry
“Soak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soak%20up. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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