Synonyms of taking over

taking over

verb

present participle of take over

1

as in substituting

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

• substituting
• standing in
• filling in
• stepping in
• spelling
• covering
• subbing
• doubling (as)
• pinch-hitting
• relieving
• understudying

2

as in assuming

to take to or upon oneself

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assuming
• accepting
• shouldering
• bearing
• undertaking
• taking up
• embracing
• standing by
• adopting
• advocating
• upholding
• endorsing
• supporting
• backing
• championing
• consenting
• espousing
• assenting
• acquiescing
• agreeing
• acceding
• reaccepting
• reassuming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• taking back
• turning down
• refusing
• withdrawing
• disclaiming
• repudiating
• refraining (from)
• disavowing
• abstaining (from)
• renouncing
• disowning
• retracting
• declining
• rejecting
• giving up
• abjuring
• recanting
• avoiding
• spurning
• bypassing
• unsaying
• forbearing
• backing off
• backing down
• abandoning
• relinquishing
• detouring
• forsaking
• surrendering
• backtracking
• abnegating

3

as in seizing

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

• seizing
• converting
• grabbing
• stealing
• confiscating
• occupying
• usurping
• claiming
• assuming
• pirating
• appropriating
• pressing
• invading
• preempting
• annexing
• snatching
• arrogating
• commandeering
• expropriating
• attaching
• looting
• grasping
• impounding
• encroaching
• infringing
• repossessing
• sequestering
• trespassing
• wrenching
• pillaging
• despoiling
• misapplying
• misusing
• preoccupying
• collaring
• embezzling
• wresting
• misappropriating
• peculating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of taking over

Maximalist Garden Design Similar to interior design, the Rococo aesthetic, with its ornate and romantic details, is taking over garden design. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026

Mladic first led a Serb insurgency in Croatia before taking over the Bosnian Serb army that was backed by Serbia and then-President Slobodan Milosevic, who also died in the custody of the Hague court in 2006 while on trial for genocide. — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Many believe that the dynamic duo taking over the reins have the energy and training to take the company into the future. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026

Geer worked regularly in regional theater for decades before taking over the role of Zeb from Edgar Bergen, who originated the role in The Homecoming. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Shapiro has been named the next Richard Rodgers dean and director of the drama division at the prestigious school, taking over starting in July 2027. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

With swangy flavors taking over the snack aisle, these findings raise some interesting questions about whether the trend could do more than just satisfy adventurous taste buds. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026

The retailer has expanded the space by 140 percent, taking over an area formerly dedicated to tableware, crockery and small home furnishings. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

The San Francisco campus is taking over the site of the California College of the Arts, the 119-year-old institution that will graduate its final class in 2027 after struggling with falling enrollment and a roughly $20 million deficit. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 July 2026