takeover

1 of 2

noun

take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər 

: the action or an act of taking over

take over

2 of 2

verb

took over; taken over; taking over; takes over

transitive verb

: to assume control or possession of or responsibility for

military leaders took over the government

intransitive verb

1

: to assume control or possession

2

: to become dominant

Synonyms of takeover

Noun

• seizure
• appropriation
• annexation
• usurpation
• invasion

Verb

• substitute
• stand in
• fill in

Examples of takeover in a Sentence

Noun

The government experienced a military takeover in 2002.

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

Verb

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

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tumultuous takeover at the start of the pandemic was just the beginning of Chapek’s CEO woes. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

State takeovers of underperforming districts have similarly proven fruitless in improving outcomes. — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Verb

The publishers that handled BookTok well didn’t try to take over the conversation. — Jd Barker, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Jesus took over Portugal from Roberto Martínez after a disappointing World Cup when Ronaldo featured as the point of the attack. — ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1910, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1618, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing takeover

• anti-takeover
• hostile takeover
• takeover bid

Rhymes for takeover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover

Kids Definition

take over

verb

(ˈ)tā-ˈkō-vər

: to get control or possession of or responsibility for something

takeover

ˈtā-ˌkō-vər

noun

Legal Definition

takeover

noun

take·​over ˈtāk-ˌō-vər 

: the acquisition of control or possession (as of a corporation)

a hostile takeover