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
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
Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign after taking over as leader of the Communist Party in 2012.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
Erika Kirk has been named CEO of Turning Point USA, taking over the organization that her husband, Charlie Kirk, helped found and led until his assassination last week.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
The bots may not be taking over, but the regulators certainly are.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign after taking over as leader of the Communist Party in 2012.
—Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
Erika Kirk has been named CEO of Turning Point USA, taking over the organization that her husband, Charlie Kirk, helped found and led until his assassination last week.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 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
-
Maduro is widely believed to have lost the 2024 presidential election to rival Edmundo González, a candidate substituting Machado, yet still claimed victory.—
David Smilde,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Western leaders largely dismissed these overt signals, assuming Putin would not be reckless enough to risk crippling sanctions, economic isolation, and a costly war.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Should Duke McDermott or Mariano (assuming the latter two are waived before the season, which seems likely) stick with the Valley Suns for at least 60 days, all will be eligible for bonuses worth up to $85,300.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fentanyl, which was responsible for the overwhelming majority of them, doesn’t come from Venezuela, and the Coast Guard has no record of seizing it in the Caribbean.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The purchase of the rifle was possible because IMPD and the Marion County prosecutors never filed a red flag petition with the court after seizing the shotgun.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meghan was seen wearing a sleeveless mid-length white dress while standing in front of Prince Harry, 41, who donned a white polo shirt and black slacks.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Tagovailoa completed 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions — including a pick six and another interception thrown while standing in his own end zone — before he was pulled from the game and replaced by rookie Quinn Ewers.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Is this an argument for accepting ghosting in its contemporary form?—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Some experts say these swipe fees are necessary for merchants to maintain the advantages of accepting cards.—
Gordon Ebanks,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Antoine Semenyo’s finish did come as part of a counter-attacking sequence, but the 25-year-old was able to get across Robertson too easily before converting first time from a David Brooks cross from the left flank.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The 49ers trailed 7-3 at the time, with the Bucs converting an early Mac Jones interception into a short-field score by White on a 2-yard run.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
During the suspension, Bode led 42 in helping the firefighters filling in for them in a mill fire.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The Broncos appear to be turning to Alex Palczewski, the fanbase’s jumbo-tight-end hero, who held up adequately filling in for Mike McGlinchey for a few games at right tackle last year.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Why are local taxpayers shouldering the cost of private school vouchers?—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
By bringing its video podcasts to Netflix, Spotify can extend its shows’ reach without shouldering the cost of competing in video distribution.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Taking over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20over. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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