Synonyms of take over

take over 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to substitute

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• stand in
• fill in
• spell
• step in
• cover
• sub
• pinch-hit
• double (as)
• relieve
• understudy

2

as in to accept

to take to or upon oneself

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accept
• assume
• shoulder
• bear
• undertake
• take up
• embrace
• adopt
• stand by
• advocate
• uphold
• support
• endorse
• back
• accede
• espouse
• champion
• acquiesce
• consent
• agree
• reaccept
• assent
• reassume

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take back
• withdraw
• repudiate
• refuse
• disavow
• renounce
• turn down
• disown
• retract
• disclaim
• refrain (from)
• reject
• abjure
• abstain (from)
• recant
• avoid
• decline
• spurn
• forbear
• give up
• bypass
• relinquish
• abandon
• forsake
• surrender
• unsay
• detour
• back down
• back off
• backtrack
• abnegate

3

as in to seize

to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right

students protesting the war took over the college's radio station

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seize
• occupy
• convert
• steal
• confiscate
• grab
• usurp
• appropriate
• pirate
• invade
• claim
• commandeer
• annex
• preempt
• arrogate
• assume
• expropriate
• press
• snatch
• loot
• attach
• impound
• trespass
• grasp
• sequester
• encroach
• infringe
• repossess
• preoccupy
• wrench
• pillage
• collar
• despoil
• embezzle
• wrest
• misuse
• peculate
• misapply
• misappropriate

takeover

2 of 2

noun

ˈtāk-ˌō-vər 

as in seizure

the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority

the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seizure
• appropriation
• annexation
• usurpation
• invasion
• expropriation
• preemption
• theft
• occupancy
• commandeering
• occupation
• misuse
• arrogation
• grab
• confiscation
• stripping
• infringement
• repossession
• assumption
• embezzlement
• encroachment
• sequestration
• looting
• detainer
• pillaging
• misappropriation
• impoundment
• peculation
• piracy
• misapplication
• despoilment
• defalcation
• ejection
• attachment
• trespass
• dispossession
• preoccupancy
• disfurnishment
• deforcement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of take over

Verb

As of today, multiple Oscar nominee Kennedy will take over Peter Rice‘s old job of Head of Ceremonies and Content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026

Buckner was a key part of the rebuild that started when coach Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch took over in 2017 and helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl in the 2019 season. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

The news comes at an interesting time, with Legendary doing due diligence with Lionsgate after sending the company a takeover offer last week. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

The investment in the Hollywood studio also comes as Lionsgate is the subject of persistent M&A chatter as a possible takeover target. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026