undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 
undertook
ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
1
: to take upon oneself : set about : attempt
undertake a task
undertake to learn to swim
2
: to put oneself under obligation to perform
also
: to accept as a charge or responsibility
the lawyer who undertook the case
—often followed by to + a verb He undertook to raise his sister's children.
archaic
: to give surety or assume responsibility
Examples of undertake in a Sentence
He's undertaking a thorough search.
The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web
But over the past fortnight, the government has undertaken several fuel price hikes, which could lead to a sharper rise in inflation.
—
Sri Jegarajah,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 June 2026
If the parent does not do so, DCF must undertake a series of actions including contacting the local child welfare or law enforcement agency to do an in-person welfare check.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
The study was part of the reforms that the city pledged to undertake in a lawsuit settlement after Taylor’s killing, but a nonpolice response failed to win the support of city leaders and wasn’t adopted.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
The sellers undertook a thoughtful restoration of the space, retaining its quirky aspects.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for undertake
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Sri Jegarajah,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 June 2026
If the parent does not do so, DCF must undertake a series of actions including contacting the local child welfare or law enforcement agency to do an in-person welfare check.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
The study was part of the reforms that the city pledged to undertake in a lawsuit settlement after Taylor’s killing, but a nonpolice response failed to win the support of city leaders and wasn’t adopted.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026
The sellers undertook a thoughtful restoration of the space, retaining its quirky aspects.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for undertake
Cite this Entry
“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
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