task 1 of 2

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

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
The task now is to ensure that the technologies that harness those resources are as resilient as the resources themselves — by diversifying supply chains, investing in domestic manufacturing, and building stronger industrial partnerships among allies. Jennifer Granholm, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Instead, through projects like the ENIAC replica, students can leverage traits many of them share, like the abilities to hyperfocus and to precisely repeat tasks. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
It would be tasked with tracking whales moving through the Bay and warning vessel operators of their locations to prevent collisions between the cetaceans and boats, according to a news release from Liccardo’s office. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 Last year, those challenges came to a head as USA Cricket, a nonprofit tasked with developing the sport in the United States, filed for federal bankruptcy protection after ending a contract with American Cricket Enterprises, the group that created Major League Cricket. ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • He was brought in as competition with Milton for the backup job.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • When people are priced out of their neighborhoods, they are pushed farther away from their jobs, schools and support systems.
    Ryan von Weller, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Claire Foy is among the rare lead performers to transition to a guest role, following a departure from a series.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That is not too much to ask of students, our teachers, or the institutions entrusted with launching us into our careers as physicians, researchers, and healers.
    Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Success, instead, should be measured by whether a threat that unfolds is mitigated by the planning and the response of those who are entrusted to secure the scene.
    Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Palmer did double duty as host and performer at the 2026 Billboard Women in Music Awards and absolutely lit up the red carpet pre-show with a gorgeous twist on her go-to copper hair color, styled by hairstylist Ashanti Lation.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In the summer of 1917, six United States Coast Guard cutters were sent overseas on convoy duty for the war, and the Tampa was the only one that never returned.
    Stephen Smith, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh emphasized that a major purpose of the federal law is to provide uniformity.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Here, sheep can’t solve crimes until human incompetence forces them to step into the breach; though pushed for the purposes of fantasy, the limits of animal intelligence are a poignant factor in the tale.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Washington took advantage of three walks, one intentional, and a run-scoring passed ball charged to catcher Drew Romo in the inning.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Kropp was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, while Cherry was charged with obstructing justice, arrest records show.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • American is adding fees for seat assignments in basic economy, even for its elite-tier loyalty members.
    Mae Anderson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • He was removed from the assignments last month in what his spokesperson said was a procedural move under House rules following his party change.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And having waited for three days in the NFL's green room backstage, Heidenreich emerged in his Full Dress Blue uniform worn by midshipmen at formal functions.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • At a school function, Duncan finally succeeds in getting JoAnne to talk to him, but her efforts to funnel him to a different therapist lead inadvertently to his next big score.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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