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

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
Using a supercomputer, Northrop’s team modelled a hypothetical version of each trip without speeding—an intimidating data processing task that took years. Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026 The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Tom Hardy is marvelous as the menacing terrorist Bane and pulls off the unenviable task of having to follow Heath Ledger’s Joker. James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Verb
Its remaining assets were transferred to 46 schools, which were tasked with creating their own La Verne Noyes endowments that were tasked with following the original mission. Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 The poor guy is tasked with telling the Trojans that the horse is a gift for the gods, before he’s unceremoniously killed. Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Felicia Schlafer received tickets to the USA Dream Team basketball game through her job.
    Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Excellent job, acknowledges both her physical transformation and that her mouth can get her into more trouble than mine does at the underwear party in Fire Island.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Western analysts have raised concerns that Beijing’s expanding role setting global norms around AI will enable it to export the norms of its own highly restrictive media and internet environment.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The role carried special meaning because of her Greek heritage.
    Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • As orphanages closed, more orphans and low-income children were entrusted to the care of foster parents in private homes.
    Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Brady Lum was accused of stealing more than $600,000 from the organization while entrusted with its assets.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • The first and most important thing to remember is that both people — but especially Bellingham — will have conducted their post-match duties in a state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Dax, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois from Poland, is certified in patrol duties, including apprehension and suspect searches, as well as firearms and ammunition detection.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Also, as open-source models, developers can download the models for free and tweak them to suit their own purposes.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 July 2026
  • And then it is found, resulting in a tug-of-war to retain and use it for very different reasons and purposes.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Although several arrests were made, no one was charged and it was never recovered.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Alleging that the killing occurred as Royal robbed Watkins, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office successfully sought from a grand jury an indictment charging Royal with capital murder.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • None of these books are Pulitzer Prize winners or future AP English assignments.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
  • Pitcher Drew Thorpe began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Arizona Complex League White Sox.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • The local radio station, RadioNikopol, has added a function to its app allowing anyone who spots a drone to quickly report it to the station.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Testosterone in females is important for ovarian function, libido and bone and muscle health as well.
    Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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