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task

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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

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 challenges posed by dementia are multifaceted, including memory loss, confusion, personality changes and difficulty with daily tasks. Taylor Penn-Vessels, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2025 Why translating Chinese food names into English is ‘an impossible task’ The karst caves across Zhangjiajie are among the region’s most striking natural wonders, formed over millions of years by water erosion. Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Verb
The commission is a group of up to 14 people appointed by Trump who are tasked with advising the government on religious liberty issues. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 17 June 2025 This is an in-depth course for those who want to create their own tools and applications, which tasks students to complete eight different projects based on real-world AI agent use cases. Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • So, whether Amazon’s AI jobs shakeout turns out to be a painful retrenching, a gradual recalibration, or something else entirely, recent history seems to suggest the company, if nothing else, has the right man for the job.
    Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 17 June 2025
  • Burgess and Eleanor’s View The most interesting part of our jobs is covering lawmakers as people.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The unusually large influx of immigrants in detention meant a backlog was created at the office in Burlington, causing people arrested on an immigration violation to be held for days in a facility unequipped for the purpose, according to lawyers for the detainees.
    Ben Adler, USA Today, 14 June 2025
  • While these measures aim to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs by eliminating administrative burdens, DEI may have served a crucial purpose in enhancing VA services to its underserved veteran communities.
    Cristina Johnson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Second, do your best to fulfill the things you are entrusted with.
    Arar Han, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • That is after the team’s relievers began the season protecting the first 22 leads with which they were entrusted.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Following the shooting, he was overwhelmed by funeral arrangements, communications with the police, the duty of informing friends and family, legal paperwork, and more.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • Gunn explained that Chesterton and Porter Police each have one dispatcher on duty answering calls for their respective departments.
    Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The source also commended Kate for balancing her royal role while taking care of her health.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 18 June 2025
  • With containment objectives largely met, the Apple Valley Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE have concluded their roles in Unified Command.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Federal prosecutors charged Boelter, 57, with murder and stalking, which could result in a death sentence if convicted.
    Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 17 June 2025
  • He was charged with armed violence, use of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card, possession of a fake ID and drug possession.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Show, don’t tell: Use internships, job assignments, or volunteer work to demonstrate real world applicability of your skills.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Position players have 20 days to complete minor league rehab assignments, but the Mets are hopeful Vientos will return before his clock runs out.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Riders are also able to connect to the platform through a laptop, smartphone or Apple Watch to dive into various features and functions.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
  • The feature enables the assignment of up to four separate actions per key in the form of a long press, double tap, or alternate functions.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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