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

Alo made its French Riviera debut with stores in Saint-Tropez and Cannes, a takeover at the Hôtel Martinez pier and a 72-meter invitation-only yacht. — Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

To avoid a takeover, CHH spins off Bergdorf’s and Neiman’s, forming the Neiman Marcus Group, with General Cinema Corp. — David Moin, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

For a third-year player in a small and uber-competitive sport, Clark has been phenomenal, but this is not a league that anyone can instantly take over. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Since taking over, the Taliban have issued dozens of decrees that prohibit women from higher education, most forms of employment and political and even public participation. — Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 8 Sep. 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