task 1 of 2

Definition of tasknext

task

2 of 2

verb

as in to entrust
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment, chore, duty, job, and stint. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

When can assignment be used instead of task?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When might chore be a better fit than task?

While in some cases nearly identical to task, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When would duty be a good substitute for task?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of task?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment, chore, duty, job, and stint. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

When can assignment be used instead of task?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When might chore be a better fit than task?

While in some cases nearly identical to task, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When would duty be a good substitute for task?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of task?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

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 task
Noun
The mission was one of five awarded in 2023 to ULA under the NSSF Phase 2 task orders worth $566 million, but the individual value was not released by the DOD. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 The troubleshooting wasn’t the only task on the crew’s day-one to-do list, however. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
This terrific new Bloomberg profile details how Microsoft CFO Amy Hood has emerged as one of the most powerful—and controversial—figures shaping the company’s AI strategy, tasked with threading the needle between runaway infrastructure spending and the risk of falling behind in the AI race. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026 Resurfaced footage released by YouTuber Gary Friedman shows some of the sturdy computing hardware that powered Voyager 1 and 2, a pair of spacecraft first launched in 1977 and tasked with taking a trip through our solar system. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Just as important, these shows let art fans size up the job curators are doing on their behalf.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • State officials have a chance to signal that California is serious about keeping job creators here, not driving them out.
    Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Charlotte exhibition will work in tandem to promote other sites and museums highlighting the Carolinas’ role in the Revolutionary War.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Kendall, as usual, played multiple roles.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But now, the owners of capital want to bring the unifying corporate narrative in-house and entrust it to an insider who can create a mythology that converts brand promise into a hero’s journey, an epic tale that stars every consumer who commits him or herself to the brand’s belief system.
    Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The investigation has been entrusted to the Carabinieri of Parma and the Specialized Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Bologna, under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
    Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Two people, including an off-duty police officer, were injured in a small plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday, sources said.
    Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Until then, assistant coaches Bridgett Melton and Tori Banda will share coaching duties.
    Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What's new is using criminal prosecutors for partisan purposes -- and there's no quotes about that in the case.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • That is leading people to lean on their faith for meaning and purpose.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For cases where a suspect had been charged, the suspect was male in the case of 90 per cent of female victims, and 91 per cent of male victims.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Both suspects were charged with larceny over $1,200 and conspiracy.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Reporter kidnapped in Baghdad known for pursuing gutsy, low-budget assignments while living ‘frugal existence’.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Even being here strictly on assignment, there’s a patina of guilt around even mentioning Kanye that’s become impossible to scrub off.
    Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • These are all important for bone health and immune function.
    Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • That moon loo has been part of the Artemis 2 conversation since day one of the mission, when its urine function went offline and was fixed by mission specialist Christina Koch, with guidance from Mission Control.
    Tariq Malik, Space.com, 5 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster