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
Relevance
2
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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 take over
Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
By examining how Earth has responded to the growth and collapse of global ice sheets, researchers have pinpointed several routes from Africa to Europe and Asia that humans have taken over the past 30,000 years.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2025
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 July 2025
Concerns over minority rights have been increasing since the December takeover by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former terrorist organization, but whose designation was removed by the Trump administration earlier this month.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take over
Verb
When former defensive coordinator Zac Alley left for West Virginia in the offseason, Venables opted to take over as defensive coordinator — his role with Clemson from 2012 to 2021 as part of two national championships.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
By examining how Earth has responded to the growth and collapse of global ice sheets, researchers have pinpointed several routes from Africa to Europe and Asia that humans have taken over the past 30,000 years.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2025
Noun
Burberry has also done a takeover of The Standard in Ibiza, whipping up its signature check in yellow for parasols, loungers and cushions.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 July 2025
Concerns over minority rights have been increasing since the December takeover by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former terrorist organization, but whose designation was removed by the Trump administration earlier this month.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take over
Verb
-
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
The 24-year-old Brazilian attacker started against Al Hilal but was substituted and had just 27 minutes from the bench in the five following games.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
To the local big-game purists, sharks were the stray dogs of the sea, and if Mundus was willing to control the population he was accepted as an eccentric asset to the community.—
Pat Smith,
Outdoor Life,
24 July 2025
-
For instance: Order Management Are orders accepted and fulfilled without changes or errors?—
Mahesh Rajasekharan,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
The agency seized another $17,000 from Dreamers Arcade, another casino tied to the case against Lopez and his co-defendants.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Leading a high-spending redistricting campaign that, if successful, helps Democrats seize the House would seemingly make Newsom a hero among the party faithful across the country.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Boyce died suddenly at the age of 20 in July 2019 after experiencing a seizure in his sleep.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
26 July 2025
-
As the infection progresses, people may experience confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and coma.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Buffalo’s National League stadium charged seventy-five cents for a male escort seat in the ladies stand in 1883.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
23 July 2025
-
Markle launched a brand called American Riviera Orchard via Instagram on March 14, 2024 with a short video that showed the duchess arranging flowers, baking and standing in a stone walkway wearing a floor-length gown.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
The team assumed command of firefighting efforts on July 26, according to InciWeb.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
28 July 2025
-
Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, with Brown’s character flying to Atlanta to find his wife, who was previously assumed dead.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
The site was previously occupied by one of McDonald’s largest locations.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
23 July 2025
-
The reality is only slightly more mundane: It was previously occupied by the manager of a pop superstar and a DJ/producer who recently closed a mid-eight-figure deal for his music catalog and label.—
Todd Longwell,
Variety,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Commissioner Alicia Reece abstained from the June 26 vote and voted against a $16 million appropriation for the first phase of renovations for the stadium, as well as two contracts for steel and concrete materials.—
Erin Glynn,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
-
Brought in coordination with Democracy Forward and American Oversight, the suit says the new policy violates Section 527 of the fiscal year 2024 DHS appropriations bill as well as the Administrative Procedures Act.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Take over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20over. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share