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

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

Graves said recruiting and retaining officers remains one of the biggest challenges facing whoever takes over for her, along with continuing to embrace technology and modern policing. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Davis takes over from Mia Bays, the outgoing Director of the Filmmaking Fund, who has been in the role since October 2021. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 23 July 2026

The Fourth of July takes over the area this weekend with the 60th Annual Palisades Parade, fireworks on and off the National Mall and festive celebrations across the city. — Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 2 July 2026