1
as in substitutes
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 shoulders
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seizes
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
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Recent Examples of takes over
From that point, the cycle of roaming from beach to pool to spa to catamaran to tennis courts takes over, moving at the speed set entirely by you, the guest.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
And also on Untucked… • Alyssa pretty much just takes over Untucked, as is her right.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
While everyone may argue how the infamous snap wouldn't have happened had Peter just stuck to the original plan, his thirst for vengeance takes over.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Sometimes we are overloaded and another grid takes over.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Arreguín on Sunday takes over the role which can have a major influence in deciding the fate of what homelessness and housing bills make it through the Legislature and what those proposals say.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Towards the end of the film is where this other, more emotional music takes over that really has to work with the exact dialogue and monologues.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
White space preserves agency before that takes over.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
No young officer who takes over from Maduro is likely to empower a figure as uncompromising as Machado.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
And also on Untucked… • Alyssa pretty much just takes over Untucked, as is her right.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
While everyone may argue how the infamous snap wouldn't have happened had Peter just stuck to the original plan, his thirst for vengeance takes over.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Sometimes we are overloaded and another grid takes over.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Arreguín on Sunday takes over the role which can have a major influence in deciding the fate of what homelessness and housing bills make it through the Legislature and what those proposals say.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Towards the end of the film is where this other, more emotional music takes over that really has to work with the exact dialogue and monologues.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
White space preserves agency before that takes over.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
No young officer who takes over from Maduro is likely to empower a figure as uncompromising as Machado.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes over
Verb
-
Ramps substitutes Because their season is so short, ramps can be hard to track down.—
Kelly Vaughan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Once that trio had run themselves into the ground, substitutes Moore, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead took over to keep the pressure on.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Charismatic and charming as ever, Gosling easily shoulders the job of being the only human onscreen for an epoch.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
There is great skepticism about Ellison’s ability to make the high-wire act work while Paramount Skydance shoulders a mountain of debt supplied by a consortium that includes Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Earnest and intersectional, the spoken word artist’s debut solo album seizes upon the power of club music to preach about gender equality, personal transformation, and communal uplift.—
Jesse Dorris,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
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So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This new reality stands in contrast to Trump’s ability to move markets throughout his first term and into the outset of his second.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Around that same time, Rebollo and Ilarde sought and were chosen to take part in a program at Petco Park that allows nonprofits to provide unpaid volunteers to staff concessions stands in return for about 10% of each stand’s revenue.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Philippe Venet assumes de Givenchy’s position.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This math also assumes a 20% down payment.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chibale grabs a chemistry book off the shelf in his office and riffles through a parade of molecules — each one like an old friend.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
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Afterward the man with the shotgun points it inside the truck’s cabin and the passenger grabs its barrel, the video shows.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Evans immediately fills in as Brock Purdy’s top pass-catching option, and more moves could come with Jauan Jennings also in free agency.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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As the day progresses, the community fills in naturally.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
None set out at the beginning of high school seeking a path that leads to MIT, which accepts only about five students for every 100 applicants.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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If a judge accepts the plea, his sentencing is May 12.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Takes over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/takes%20over. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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