1
as in facing
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
2
as in hiring
to provide with a paying job
decided to take her on as store manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in borrowing
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
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Recent Examples of taking on
Dunleavy was adamant the team did not ask the Bucks about taking on Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green at the deadline, noting that the only time Green was discussed was when other teams inquired about the lifelong Warrior.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
After a disappointing 4-13 season last year, the Patriots are back in the title game tonight, taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
While not everyone gets their wishes, those with no interest in taking on the deceptive — and challenging — role of a Traitor likely won't be chosen.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The figure of Achilles, a warrior who singlehandedly choked a river with dead enemies before taking on the river god himself, provided a model for Alexander the Great and persists in contemporary popular entertainment, political speech, and military culture in celebrations of shock and awe.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Sunday’s game could be the first Clasico to feature English players in both teams — with Madrid duo Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially taking on Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Unlike with Netflix or HBO, YouTube creators are taking on the risk for their projects (though, granted, there’s a great disparity in production budgets).
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
The same is true for Daniel Kaluuya, who is taking on a fresh take on the purple dino for A24, with Ayo Edebiri co-starring.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
The day will end with the Atlanta Falcons taking on the San Francisco 49ers.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
After a disappointing 4-13 season last year, the Patriots are back in the title game tonight, taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
While not everyone gets their wishes, those with no interest in taking on the deceptive — and challenging — role of a Traitor likely won't be chosen.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
The figure of Achilles, a warrior who singlehandedly choked a river with dead enemies before taking on the river god himself, provided a model for Alexander the Great and persists in contemporary popular entertainment, political speech, and military culture in celebrations of shock and awe.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Sunday’s game could be the first Clasico to feature English players in both teams — with Madrid duo Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially taking on Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Unlike with Netflix or HBO, YouTube creators are taking on the risk for their projects (though, granted, there’s a great disparity in production budgets).
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
The same is true for Daniel Kaluuya, who is taking on a fresh take on the purple dino for A24, with Ayo Edebiri co-starring.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
The day will end with the Atlanta Falcons taking on the San Francisco 49ers.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking on
Verb
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The Bruins will honor six graduating players before facing the Badgers.—
Felicia Keller,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The initiative reflects challenges facing rail operators worldwide, including in the United States.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The more filler words someone uses, the lower they’re rated in professional and personal credibility and communication competence, which can influence hiring decisions.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
And the cost of tariffs has reduced many companies’ profits, possibly leading them to cut back on hiring.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Often, parents risk jeopardizing their own financial futures by borrowing for their children’s education, Boyd said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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In addition to emptying a reserves fund and borrowing from a retiree health fund, district electeds agreed to reduce staffing, merge two middle schools, and end the kindergarten through eighth grade model, according to a Fiscal Solvency Plan trustees adopted Wednesday.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Manufacturers must reduce weight and energy use while meeting strict safety rules.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied meeting Giuffre.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It was also reported to be Butler County's ninth largest employer, employing about 2,000 people.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
16 Feb. 2026
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Another, role the state could play in immigration is to eliminate employing H1B visas immigrants from any state contracts and from admission into state Universities.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages.—
Mathew Miranda
February 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The property tax rate and adopting the annual budget are among the County Commission’s most important responsibilities.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The short clip, posted on YouTube by COMA — the Chinatown Organization for Media Awakening — depicts director Jia Zhangke encountering an AI version of himself, leading to a conversation that blends humor with philosophical commentary on filmmaking in the age of artificial intelligence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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It’s been 16 days since Nancy Guthrie was reported missing, and investigators working the case that has captivated the nation’s attention are encountering a unique mix of challenges.—
Elizabeth Hartfield,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The School of Medicine began recruiting for the clinical trial last month.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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The biggest challenge will be to rebuild the office by recruiting the highest quality staff and attorneys, and establishing an ethical culture of serving the needs of the state rather than an ideological agenda.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20on. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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