Textual thesaurus for "soak up"

(verb) engross, engulf, absorb, immerse, plunge, steep

devote (oneself) fully to

He immersed himself into his studies

(verb) take in, take up, suck, suck up, imbibe, draw, sop up, absorb

take in, also metaphorically

The sponge absorbs water well; She drew strength from the minister's words