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task

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verb

as in to entrust
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment, chore, duty, job, and stint. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

When can assignment be used instead of task?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When might chore be a better fit than task?

While in some cases nearly identical to task, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When would duty be a good substitute for task?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of task?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of task
Noun
Following Carlo Ancelotti is no small task, especially stepping into a club that demands silverware. Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 13 May 2025 But in jobs like software engineer, web designer and cashier, AI will take the tasks people have been doing and make people more productive by enabling them to complete more tasks throughout the workday. Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Verb
The committee was tasked with finding at least $230 billion in cuts. Lauren Peller, ABC News, 13 May 2025 The new Town Council will be tasked with appointing a resident to the fill the second vacancy as Holl is not seeking reelection. Jeffrey F. Bill, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Speaking to thousands of members of the media from around the world who covered his election and the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo also called for the release of reporters jailed for doing their jobs.
    Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Business Bay Area tech workers thought their jobs were safe.
    Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • His purpose was to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the genocide and advocate for the release of 23 hostages detained in Azerbaijan.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The screen served different purposes at different junctures.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • America’s military strength has always rested not just on its weapons and technology, but on the leadership of the men and women entrusted to employ them wisely.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Potential jurors shuffled into a Manhattan courtroom on a gray Monday in New York City as lawyers for both sides prepared to winnow down the class of people who will be entrusted with the fate of one of the biggest names in music.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin and John Goodman are among celebrities who have taken their hosting duties well into the double digits.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • Throughout season 8, Gamble had struggled to reconcile her duties as an officer with her family's deep criminal history — her father's legacy as the murderer of an L.A. sheriff didn't do her any favors on the force.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • But Critchfield acknowledged that cuts at the federal level could pose challenges if states have to take on more of an oversight role.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2025
  • Longevity in past roles can be a strong indicator of someone's ability to adapt and grow within your organization.
    Michael DeCesare, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The Edge supports fast charging up to 25W, along with 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging (the wattage isn't specified, but is likely 4.5W like other S phones).
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • Hayes has not been charged with a crime in Saturday’s crash.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Lowder suffered the loss in both, losing his start in Arizona to Clayton Kershaw, who was on a rehab assignment for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 12 May 2025
  • Here’s my exact approach to helping teens quickly, painlessly complete their missing assignments.
    Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Few bodily functions are as misunderstood as blood clots.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Even small amounts can damage a child’s brain function, affecting their behavior, IQ and self-control.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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