Synonyms of takes over

takes over

verb

present tense third-person singular of take over

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

• substitutes
• stands in
• fills in
• covers
• spells
• steps in
• subs
• pinch-hits
• doubles (as)
• relieves
• understudies

2

as in shoulders

to take to or upon oneself

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shoulders
• assumes
• accepts
• bears
• undertakes
• embraces
• takes up
• stands by
• adopts
• advocates
• upholds
• supports
• endorses
• champions
• backs
• consents
• agrees
• reaccepts
• espouses
• accedes
• acquiesces
• assents
• reassumes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• takes back
• disclaims
• refuses
• turns down
• withdraws
• repudiates
• disavows
• retracts
• rejects
• disowns
• renounces
• abstains (from)
• declines
• refrains (from)
• recants
• abjures
• avoids
• spurns
• gives up
• unsays
• bypasses
• backs off
• abandons
• detours
• relinquishes
• backs down
• forsakes
• surrenders
• forbears
• abnegates
• backtracks

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

• seizes
• grabs
• converts
• steals
• confiscates
• usurps
• occupies
• pirates
• claims
• annexes
• assumes
• commandeers
• appropriates
• preempts
• invades
• arrogates
• snatches
• expropriates
• presses
• loots
• attaches
• repossesses
• impounds
• grasps
• encroaches
• sequesters
• despoils
• collars
• infringes
• trespasses
• peculates
• preoccupies
• pillages
• wrenches
• misapplies
• embezzles
• misuses
• misappropriates
• wrests

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of takes over

Some Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee are encouraging leaders to scrap the chamber’s Select Committee on China once their party takes over next year. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Mike Boynton, a former assistant on May’s staff, takes over a Michigan team that returns Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney from its national championship team. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Some leaders argue that AI could end up making those human skills more valuable, predicting a renaissance in soft skills as the technology takes over rote work. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Baiz takes over for longtime ARC head coach Jon Osterhout, now the assistant athletic director and chief of staff of Sacramento State’s football program, his alma mater. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Lee Munn takes over as Southlake Carroll’s first new head coach since 2018, replacing Riley Dodge and inheriting a program still chasing its first state title since 2011. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

On weekends, Nelson takes over, giving Aikman opportunities to practice his skills and experience the sights, sounds and distractions of everyday life in the community. — Nelly Carreño, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Once those tickets get purchased, though, the market takes over. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

John Ternus takes over in September, in the same weeks the foldable ships and the memory bill lands. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026