1. absorb, draw, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck, suck up, take in, take up

take in, also metaphorically

Example Sentences:
'The sponge absorbs water well'
'She drew strength from the minister's words'

Synonyms

• absorb
• draw
• imbibe
• soak up
• sop up
• suck
• take in
• take up

Also See

• attract
• draw
• draw in
• pull
• pull in
• draw in
• draw in
• suck in
• suck in

2. cotton up, cozy up, play up, shine up, sidle up, suck up

ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior

Example Sentences:
'She is playing up to the chairman'

Synonyms

• cotton up
• cozy up
• play up
• shine up
• sidle up

3. bootlick, fawn, kotow, kowtow, suck up, toady, truckle

try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Example Sentences:
'He is always kowtowing to his boss'

Synonyms

• bootlick
• fawn
• kotow
• kowtow
• toady
• truckle