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

Hamilton will take over in the middle of a busy summer disaster season that has already brought destructive wildfires and dangerous flooding and as FEMA manages more than 1,000 open disaster declarations. — Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

First, the thinking goes, models make researchers faster, but as each improvement feeds the next, the models take over more of the research cycle. — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

The 31-year-old airline is seen as an attractive takeover target for private equity bidders, holding valuable landing slots at key European airports including London Gatwick, Paris and Geneva. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

The 2026-27 school year marks the first full year Fort Worth ISD will operate under a state takeover. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2026