TAKE ON Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

take on

verb

Definition of take on

as in to meet

to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to employ

to provide with a paying job decided to take her on as store manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to borrow

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) recently arrived immigrants who are eager to take on the language and culture of their adopted homeland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of take on Older millennials are far more likely to have taken on extra income out of pure survival instinct—42% of elder millennials say a single paycheck simply wasn’t enough, compared to 31% of younger ones. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 Even Musk, despite his vow to take a chainsaw to the bureaucracy, seemed exhausted by the vastness of what his Department of Government Efficiency had taken on, and abandoned DOGE over a year earlier than planned. — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Orlando City is back in action Wednesday night, taking on Robert Lewandowski and Chicago Fire FC. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 Only one of them changes what the company is able to take on next quarter. — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for take on

Verb

Airlines around the world are currently plagued by delays in their efforts to deliver new premium offerings — including increasing passenger demand for privacy, high-tech connectivity and inflight entertainment — to meet the surge in air travel.

— Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of meet

Verb

One of its key functions has been for healing, often employing a complex knowledge of medicinal plants and in many cases providing the only medical services available within African American communities.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
For startups like Code Metal—which employs 123 people—the challenge now is turning one-off opportunities, like the new $80 million Pentagon deal, into repeatable, expandable business.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of employ

Verb

Most of the funds would be borrowed, with about $10 billion coming through general obligation bonds that would be repaid over time by California taxpayers.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
His plan could ultimately conclude with one child borrowing a fortune to buy out the other five.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrow

Verb

Fuller is nearly six months into the new position, created as Texas faces growing scrutiny over how school districts handle allegations involving teachers, coaches, and other school employees.

— Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Geopolitical tensions are bringing critical dependencies and chokepoints into sharper focus, while Europe faces growing security threats on its doorstep.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of face

Verb

Investigating technical allegations about the rail project requires hiring outside experts — and without AB 1608, Belnap says his office can't do that on its own.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Valentine Nguele, Cameroon’s first female head coach, was hired just six weeks before the tournament.

— Emily Olsen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hire

Verb

That work isn’t finished, but the evidence suggests that meaningful progress has been made since NYC Reads was first adopted three years ago.

— Evan Stone, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Songwriter Diane Warren has adopted a West Hollywood runaway pig that was caught on video running through the neighborhood, her publicist said.

— Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopt

Verb

And who knows about Newcastle, who have lost three crucial players and only really brought in promising youngsters, all of whom will be managed by someone recruited from the Saudi Pro League.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Directed by Jon Favreau, the film premiered in theaters May 22 and follows bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice, Grogu, as they’re recruited by officer Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) to aid the New Republic.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026