Synonyms of task

task 1 of 2

noun

ˈtask 

1

as in job

a piece of work that needs to be done regularly

one of my tasks in the morning is to make lunches for everyone in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• job
• duty
• assignment
• project
• chore
• mission
• function
• responsibility
• endeavor
• errand
• undertaking
• operation
• post
• enterprise
• office
• stint
• commission
• care
• route
• chare
• char
• charge
• circuit
• round

2

as in purpose

the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists

the forklift's task is to stack pallets of goods in the warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• purpose
• role
• job
• function
• work
• part
• position
• mission
• capacity
• place
• business
• rôle
• duty
• situation
• participation
• concern
• involvement
• activity
• vocation
• office
• responsibility
• assignment
• occupation
• hand
• post
• use
• service
• pursuit
• affair
• niche
• calling
• commission
• employ
• charge

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

• entrust
• charge
• assign
• trust
• intrust
• impose
• commission
• delegate
• recommend
• commit
• confer
• allocate
• empower
• confide
• consign
• authorize
• relegate
• allot
• repose
• invest

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of task

Noun

McClain and Ayers built and mounted the upper triangle of the mast canister modification kit, as well as the right struts, but then were instructed to clean up their workstations and move on to the next, higher priority task. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 May 2025

Every year, event planner Raul Ávila is given a daunting task: to transform the Metropolitan Museum of Art into an otherworldly spectacle for the annual Met Gala. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025

Verb

Tocchet’s first shot at being an NHL head coach came with the pre-Jeff Vinik Tampa Bay Lightning, and he was tasked with picking up the pieces of the disastrous 16-game Barry Melrose era. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Each coach began the night with five artists but was tasked with narrowing their rosters down to just two singers each to advance to the Live Shows. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing task

• take to task