WordNet sense 1 (take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities):

assume, take over, take on

WordNet sense 2 (choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans):

espouse, follow

WordNet sense 3 (take up and practice as one's own):

borrow, take up

WordNet sense 4 (put into dramatic form):

dramatize, dramatise

WordNet sense 5 (take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own):

embrace, sweep up

WordNet sense 6 (take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect):

acquire, take

WordNet sense 7 (take into one's family):

take in