Definition of tasknext

task

2 of 2

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
Potlucks democratized large group meals, turning a massive task usually completed by one woman into smaller, more manageable tasks completed by many. Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 But the defense is expected to argue that competence during routine tasks does not establish criminal responsibility during the killings. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office — possibly through its Alternate Counsel Division — will be tasked with appointing him an attorney, according to an order signed by Judge Steven Hippler of Idaho’s 4th Judicial District. Alex Brizee july 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 The committee is tasked with analyzing and reviewing problematic conference papers and enhancing quality screening of articles prior to publication to detect integrity issues such as plagiarism and tortured phrases. IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Not everyone’s job includes crawling 150 feet through a spillway pipe 20 feet beneath a lake.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • The jobs span the agriculture, automotive, education, finance, government, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, law enforcement, real estate and retail industries, among others, according to the fair’s website.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • For decades, the service academies have sought to balance their dual roles as military institutions and accredited universities.
    James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • In an era dominated by physical defenders, Baresi distinguished himself through his reading of the game, redefining the sweeper role by combining defensive authority with the ability to launch attacks from deep.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • It was enabled by those most entrusted to prevent it, acting in the belief that the cause required continuity.
    Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
  • But a new watchdog memo raises serious questions about whether the private contractors entrusted with that work are adequately protecting taxpayer information.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • The ritual is one of the most somber duties of a commander-in-chief.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • There have been summers when Manchester United players needed special attention from the club’s staff and fans after returning from England duty.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • One of the purposes of Ameri’kana is to gather with other people, meet new neighbors and participate in the arts with others.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Our waiter, Juan, was – as all servers at Papi Steak are – quick to illuminate the kaleidoscopic dish with a pocket flashlight, apparently for documentary purposes.
    Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s platform is charging Wall Street traders and investment firms as much as $100,000 for nearly-instant access to the president’s Truth Social posts and any other posts on the platform, according to multiple outlets.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Both men are charged with first-degree murder in Furman’s death.
    Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Of all the peculiar assignments a newspaper reporter can undertake, writing advance obituaries for local notables who are still very much alive is one of the strangest.
    Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 26 July 2026
  • When asked about the complexity of Spagnuolo’s nickel assignment, Canady expressed confidence based on his diverse college experience.
    Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • Passengers can stretch out and use the seat’s ingenious recline function, which has hard-shell backing and offers a cradling motion that slides the seat forward and up for eight inches of recline without disturbing the flier behind.
    Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The restaurant only briefly reopened for private functions until 1980, when the lease ran out.
    David Szondy August 01, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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