Synonyms of take over

take over 1 of 2

verb

1

as in to substitute

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• stand in
• fill in
• spell
• step in
• cover
• sub
• pinch-hit
• double (as)
• relieve
• understudy

2

as in to accept

to take to or upon oneself

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accept
• assume
• shoulder
• bear
• undertake
• take up
• embrace
• adopt
• stand by
• advocate
• uphold
• support
• endorse
• back
• accede
• espouse
• champion
• acquiesce
• consent
• agree
• reaccept
• assent
• reassume

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take back
• withdraw
• repudiate
• refuse
• disavow
• renounce
• turn down
• disown
• retract
• disclaim
• refrain (from)
• reject
• abjure
• abstain (from)
• recant
• avoid
• decline
• spurn
• forbear
• give up
• bypass
• relinquish
• abandon
• forsake
• surrender
• unsay
• detour
• back down
• back off
• backtrack
• abnegate

3

as in to seize

to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right

students protesting the war took over the college's radio station

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seize
• occupy
• convert
• steal
• confiscate
• grab
• usurp
• appropriate
• pirate
• invade
• claim
• commandeer
• annex
• preempt
• arrogate
• assume
• expropriate
• press
• snatch
• loot
• attach
• impound
• trespass
• grasp
• sequester
• encroach
• infringe
• repossess
• preoccupy
• wrench
• pillage
• collar
• despoil
• embezzle
• wrest
• misuse
• peculate
• misapply
• misappropriate

takeover

2 of 2

noun

ˈtāk-ˌō-vər 

as in seizure

the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority

the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seizure
• appropriation
• annexation
• usurpation
• invasion
• expropriation
• preemption
• theft
• occupancy
• commandeering
• occupation
• misuse
• arrogation
• grab
• confiscation
• stripping
• infringement
• repossession
• assumption
• embezzlement
• encroachment
• sequestration
• looting
• detainer
• pillaging
• misappropriation
• impoundment
• peculation
• piracy
• misapplication
• despoilment
• defalcation
• ejection
• attachment
• trespass
• dispossession
• preoccupancy
• disfurnishment
• deforcement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of take over

Verb

The service, which has since expanded to five other cities in Texas and Florida, initially carried passengers with safety drivers aboard to take over in case of problems. — Bernard Condon, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026

When Rocco Forte took over in the early 2000s, the company returned the hotel to its original glory, with elegant suites decorated with prints and patterns and a restaurant serving impeccable Mediterranean cuisine by Fulvio Pierangelini. — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Noun

The announcement was only two months before Gunn and Safran’s DC takeover was officially confirmed, and the duo did not have plans to bring Cavill’s Superman back. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Sky’s defense filing revealed that, in addition to her salary, Kavanagh earned close to £6 million in earnouts and bonuses after Sky’s takeover of Love in 2014. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026