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
Relevance
2
as in assuming
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking over
Hard-throwing lefty reliever José Alvarado appeared to be taking over the full-time closer role early in the year, but in May, he got hit with an 80-game suspension for a positive performance-enhancing drug test.
—
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Why some troops can't just get fitter Pete Hegseth has made fitness standards a major focus since taking over the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Mills was honored for her performance as Heather Webber on General Hospital, a role she's played since 1980 after taking over for Robin Mattson.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Just like that, New York Comic Con 2025 is underway, taking over the Javits Center from October 9 through 12.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
While there wasn’t animosity between Mozeliak and Bloom (who served in an adviser role until taking over the organization this month), the Cardinals’ leadership transition plan was certainly unorthodox.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The Arizona Department of Public Safety major incident division will be taking over the investigation, Bower said.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Gino Wang, JSerra, QB The sophomore has led the Lions (3-2) to three consecutive wins since taking over as the starer.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
The bots may not be taking over, but the regulators certainly are.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Why some troops can't just get fitter Pete Hegseth has made fitness standards a major focus since taking over the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Mills was honored for her performance as Heather Webber on General Hospital, a role she's played since 1980 after taking over for Robin Mattson.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Just like that, New York Comic Con 2025 is underway, taking over the Javits Center from October 9 through 12.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
While there wasn’t animosity between Mozeliak and Bloom (who served in an adviser role until taking over the organization this month), the Cardinals’ leadership transition plan was certainly unorthodox.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The Arizona Department of Public Safety major incident division will be taking over the investigation, Bower said.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Gino Wang, JSerra, QB The sophomore has led the Lions (3-2) to three consecutive wins since taking over as the starer.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
The bots may not be taking over, but the regulators certainly are.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking over
Verb
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If Calvados apple liqueur is unavailable for the glaze, substituting water works wonderfully.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
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Because of this, nutritionist Leticia Carrera, director of the center Felicidad Carrera, advises always eating pulses with brown rice and substituting the combination for meat two to three times a week—at least.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In estimating that online sales would result in overall annual profits of about $30-90 million, the Legislative Services Agency is assuming there would be an accompanying decrease in retail lottery sales.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Launching a military operation and then assuming responsibility for governance shifts Washington toward a closed, coercive model of power – one that relies on force to establish authority and is prohibitively costly to sustain over time.—
Monica Duffy Toft,
The Conversation,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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La Fonda’s announcement on Facebook includes a video of Maria standing in front of the restaurant’s bright blue bricks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Trump was standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Marine officers also said accepting women would lead to greater risk, meaning more Marine combat casualties.—
Tom Bowman,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Hawke paid tribute to his late friend and recalled one of their very first moments together while accepting the Career Achievement Award at the Palm Springs Film Awards over the weekend.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If regulators streamline permitting, converting the site into a gasoline import terminal could be profitable and relatively quick, said Ryan Cummings of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and a former Biden administration economic adviser.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Huskies opened the first quarter on four consecutive steals, converting each one into points for an 8-0 start on the way to an 88-43 rout.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rachaad White has been filling in for Irving at running back.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Throughout the movie, Lanthimos doles out pieces of backstory in short, dreamlike sequences that unfurl in black and white, artfully filling in the blanks of Teddy’s particular interest in Michelle.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Vance Joseph's unit adjusted and stiffened quickly, shouldering the entire weight of a football game.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, individual coverage topped $9,300, on average, this year, up 5% – with employees shouldering $1,440 of the cost and employers paying the rest.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taking over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20over. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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