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
But the job of mayor of a big city like Chicago is principally a management task. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 The clerk's rather mundane tasks include keeping records and collecting payments for the county court system, in addition to managing the bureaucracy of local elections. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
For now, Donausky will be tasked with being the team’s anchoring as the Eagles tries to find their identity. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 As part of the deal, Oliver Sasse will take on a senior adviser role at Firebird, tasked with identifying acquisition opportunities across the dance and electronic music space. Jem Aswad, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • The rule has been expanded that teams must interview two minority candidates for openings at head coach, general managers and the offensive and defensive coordinator jobs.
    Mac Engel March 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
  • And this Pios team, the first at DU to ever clinch a third straight Frozen Four bid, might be Carle’s best coaching job yet.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash and whether alcohol or drugs played a role, authorities said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This coating plays a crucial role.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The legislative branch is constitutionally entrusted with the passage of legislation that, with the president’s signature, becomes law.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Our baby girl was entrusted to this facility in November 2024, seven years after this series of events began.
    Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But the document suggests Florida agencies have been assigned more funding than those in any other state through the federal 287(g) program — a controversial initiative that deputizes local officers to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Also not required to have a license are Illinois residents who are on active military duty who are home on leave.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Trump has not only stolen top-secret government files, apparently for business purposes but used his office to harass and investigate his political targets.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • City police issued a citation to the 14-year-old rider for operating an e-bike underage, but no one was charged for the injury to Stotko.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Kushmaul, of Oakdale, Louisiana, was living out-of-state when charged, according to officials.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • No gas, no assignment and, most disappointing of all, no date on Wednesday.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Intellectual property assignment clauses should be enforceable only within the scope of uses the employer disclosed when the work was assigned.
    Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to tilt and pressure sensitivity, the Apple Pencil Pro adds squeeze and delete functions to the palette, along with a new barrel roll gesture and haptic vibrational feedback.
    Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The cave functions as a kind of natural collection system.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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