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

Davis native Erin Clancey has been announced as the museum’s new executive director, taking over the role in September. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Luxury fashion houses no longer limit themselves to boutiques, taking over hotels and beach clubs to create immersive destinations where hospitality, fashion and leisure merge seamlessly. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Lynne Fitzpatrick is taking over as CEO of the derivatives exchange CME, making her one of the top women in finance. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 July 2026

That move was bigger than a warehouse transaction, with Stord taking over Quiet’s former customer base and many employees moving over to the fulfillment provider. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

The play transferred to Broadway’s Booth Theatre that year, with Lavin replaced by Judith Light and Rachel Griffiths taking over for Marvel. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026

The county is taking over day-to-day oversight of the initiative from United Way. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026

Those who aren’t taking over the whole place and enjoy more of a scene can flit over in the island’s speedboat to neighboring Hurawalhi, with its buzzy bar, big gym, and underwater restaurant. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

Thomson led Philadelphia to the 2022 World Series after taking over for Girardi, losing to the Houston Astros in six games. — Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026