1
as in stood in
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
Relevance
2
as in accepted
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in commandeered
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
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 taken over
After six years as co-host of CBS Mornings, the 45-year-old journalist has taken over the anchor chair at CBS Evening News, a role once held by the likes of Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.
—
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
As a pilgrimage for generations of Colorado families, business owners, workers and visitors, as Coors put it, the Stock Show continues to stand out with its physical fellowship, and not the impersonal commerce, Zoom calls or social media messaging that have taken over business.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille has taken over the corner space where Killington’s once operated and Beef O’Brady sat before that.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Puma’s Popovic believes unsanctioned races have taken over for run clubs as the best form of community building.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
It’s taken over a century, but chestnut farming is bouncing back.
—Todd Plummer, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Bobby Hart, who had taken over the starting right tackle job in recent weeks, suffered groin and ankle injuries in the first quarter Sunday.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
By all means, this committee should aim to commemorate the freeing of slaves, Moore acknowledged, once the nationalists had taken over in earnest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Daniel Jones has taken over as the team's starting quarterback and has been playing at an MVP level to begin the year.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
As a pilgrimage for generations of Colorado families, business owners, workers and visitors, as Coors put it, the Stock Show continues to stand out with its physical fellowship, and not the impersonal commerce, Zoom calls or social media messaging that have taken over business.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille has taken over the corner space where Killington’s once operated and Beef O’Brady sat before that.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Puma’s Popovic believes unsanctioned races have taken over for run clubs as the best form of community building.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
It’s taken over a century, but chestnut farming is bouncing back.
—Todd Plummer, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Bobby Hart, who had taken over the starting right tackle job in recent weeks, suffered groin and ankle injuries in the first quarter Sunday.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
By all means, this committee should aim to commemorate the freeing of slaves, Moore acknowledged, once the nationalists had taken over in earnest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Daniel Jones has taken over as the team's starting quarterback and has been playing at an MVP level to begin the year.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken over
Verb
-
The stylistic choice stood in stark contrast to other tech power players in the same exchanges, like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI chairman Bret Taylor, whose messages show more traditional attention to grammar and syntax.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Kim, 45, also shared an image with the As Ever brand founder while Prince Harry stood in the background, a photo that was also deleted from the reality star's account.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The show's co-creator Jack Thorne accepted the award and gave a speech thanking Netflix and listing the names of several people who have supported the series.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But Skinny Pedro had accepted the task for another, more important reason.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The washer and dryer were commandeered as beer coolers and Melanie’s special mix tape was blasting over the house stereo.—
Dustin Timbrook,
AJC.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Not to mention, Pinterest predicts cool blue will be the new millennial pink (Sabrina Carpenter’s already commandeered the shade on and off stage, with Hailey Bieber closely following in some of her streetwear looks).—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Besides Castrejon, there’s Nathan Medina, who has eight goals, and Nathan Vargas, a backup goalie who has filled in well while the starter was sick.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Harris reports that only about 39% of available geriatric fellowship positions were filled in 2025.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Alongside fellow co-owner John Mara, Tisch assumed control of the team in 2005 after his father had purchased a majority stake in the team in 1991.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The 63-year-old New Mexico native with deep Dallas ties officially assumed leadership of North Texas’ largest business group earlier this month.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And yet, is such a reclamation even possible after one has been annexed or occupied?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The company appears to be eyeing up the market currently occupied by Sonos and has its own ecosystem with a range of wireless speakers and streamers offering the same kind of convenience as Sonos but at more competitive prices.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her brothers naturally became involved uncles, offering guidance, emotional support, and quality time, while a cousin who felt more like a sister stepped in as a reliable aunt figure.—
Halona Black,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Jack Drury stepped in front of a Giroux pass near the blue line and fed Nichushkin all alone in front.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That value is in the form of people working, supplies purchased, and activities undertaken.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Defense attorney Frank Adreano said Wednesday a full criminal and internal investigation needs to be undertaken against the state for its actions.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taken over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken%20over. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
