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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As a result, Kansas City will rely on Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt to continue sharing the load in the offensive backfield down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs -- assuming the Chiefs earn a place there come January.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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And that’s assuming that China, already Saudi’s biggest trade partner, doesn’t also look to partner with the kingdom on its metals ambitions and play spoiler to the West’s goal of creating an alternative.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Monday’s agreement stems from the August 2023 search of the Marion County Record, as well as the home of the paper’s publisher and a councilwoman, seizing reporters’ cell phones and computers, among other items.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Since seizing power, the Burmese military has waged an unrelenting campaign of terror.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump was standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
What To Know The latest speculation about Putin’s health emerged in response to a clip of the Russian president standing in a sports hall in the city of Samara.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Spoken by Milan to Allura while waiting for STI tests from a doctor supposedly not accepting new patients before 2040.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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Last night, at the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, the White Stripes were inducted by Iggy Pop, with Jack White accepting the honor on behalf of the duo.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Inside the hole, that spin makes the ball roll along the cylinder like a mini-pendulum, converting potential energy into spin and then back again.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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One promising route involves converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which can then be transformed into fuels and chemicals using electricity from renewable sources.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rachaad White has been filling in for Irving at running back.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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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 21 Nov. 2025.
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