TAKES ON Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

takes on

verb

present tense third-person singular of take on

as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in employs

to provide with a paying job decided to take her on as store manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in borrows

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) recently arrived immigrants who are eager to take on the language and culture of their adopted homeland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 takes on The mental load of harder cases As AI takes on routine tasks, human agents may be left dealing with a greater share of complicated cases — and be required to pick up the slack when the technology fails. — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 The other game is another SEC matchup as Missouri takes on Ole Miss. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Clarks x Damson Madder Damson Madder x Clarks Originals collection, which launched Thursday, features two fresh takes on Clarks archive styles. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026 Closing out the evening at Louis Armstrong Stadium, American Learner Tien takes on Russian Karen Khachanov, hoping to join compatriots Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen in the last eight. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026 Newport Harbor is 9-0 and takes on Edison and Marina in league matches this week before beginning play in the Dave Mohs tournament. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Hylton takes on a task that has for many years been anchored by Alex Witt. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 If no candidate secures a majority of the vote in Tuesday's primary, the contest could head to a runoff later this month to determine who takes on Democrat Annie Andrews in November. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Shadowbox takes on management of Kaufman Astoria after a tumultuous period at the studios. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes on

Verb

If convicted, Sapov faces a maximum of five years in prison for each of the two counts of stalking, followed by supervised release.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
Sentinel itself faces a more complicated development schedule.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of faces

Verb

Far from sounding preachy, the song employs Lafourcade’s serene vocal style and Santana’s soulful guitar as an invitation to reconcile.

— Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026
Florida authorities said two people were dead, including a suspect, after witnesses reported a shooting Wednesday at Citibank's sprawling business complex that employs thousands in the Tampa area.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of employs

Verb

The oil giant is also building a stadium, investing in renewable power projects, and often borrows during downturns to maintain funding to the state.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Its aesthetic borrows heavily from the S26 lineup, right down to the flat-edge aluminum frame with rounded corners.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of borrows

Verb

Anyone who encounters a live bat inside a room should leave the room, close the door and contact animal control.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Recovered wreckage is being retained for analysis, and officials urged anyone who encounters debris to leave it untouched and notify authorities.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of encounters

Verb

As the Sun meets retrograde Mercury, a familiar daily frustration could reveal the assumption underneath it.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026
This includes establishing how the site meets the relevant selection criteria, documenting its authenticity and integrity, outlining the measures in place to protect it, and presenting a management framework.

— Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of meets

Verb

Unprecedented interest Something seemed to change this year, said Erik Polyak, executive director of 314 Action, a political action committee that recruits, trains and helps Democrats with science, tech, engineering and math backgrounds get elected.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Georgia recruits elite high school players, develops them, retains them and replaces them with more elite high school players.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026