task 1 of 2

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
Consumer tastes and trends make producing souvenirs a more elaborate task than cranking up T-shirt and keychain factories. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025 Baking Soda Lowe's has plenty of household basics, like baking soda, which comes in handy during many cleaning tasks. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 6 June 2025
Verb
In the early days of Napster and peer-to-peer file-sharing, Doug Morris (and his Universal colleagues, including Jimmy Iovine, who would go on to sell his Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line to Apple for $3 billion in 2014) was tasked with fending off the death of the CD, to mixed results. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025 Nonprofit organizations are regularly tasked with doing more with less—and this is especially true in challenging financial times. Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • While discussing what jobs Ballerina stars Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, and Ana de Armas held before becoming actors on Wednesday's episode of her eponymous talk show, the American Idol was surprised to learn that Reedus, formerly a cleaner, remains a neat freak.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • While the April jobs reading was better than expected, a separate reading from ADP this week showed private sector hiring hit its lowest level in more than two years.
    Ali McCadden, CNBC, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • This was still wild country, and Fuller set off with the express purpose of producing a book about her journey.
    James Marcus, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • These rituals included a physical action, an emotional expression and a shared sense of purpose.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • While Social Security employees are entrusted with the records containing personal information, it was disputed whether the 11 DOGE team members could be trusted with same material.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Parking garage Washington Madison Wells garage, 172 W. Madison St., Chicago The Ferrari was entrusted to an attendant at a parking garage, which was owned by the Chicago Board of Education in the 1970s.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The federal court ruling aimed at striking down the majority of President Donald Trump's tariffs could force the government to pay back billions of dollars in import duties that have already been collected.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • In its ruling, the court said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump invoked to impose the tariffs, does not authorize a president to levy universal duties on imports.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Though she's been a part of some of the entire franchise's most epic confrontations and conflagrations, Smiley, who proposed to Rossi in 2013, has played an arguably even more pivotal role in shaping the course of the Housewives' oldest installment.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
  • But by March, Musk's role in the administration began to face questions.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Castilleja has been charged with murder, according to the online jail records.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2025
  • The dad and the mother, who was in Florida during the abuse, are charged with child abuse and torture — crimes that authorities said would be eligible for the diversion program.
    Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The Orioles previously designated Blewett for assignment just days after acquiring him after the Minnesota Twins placed him on waivers.
    Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • The Royals designated right-handed pitcher Thomas Hatch for assignment — he’d been recalled from Triple-A Omaha for the doubleheader — meaning Cameron remains in the majors.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The update will expand the platform’s direct messaging function, which Musk says will include encryption, file sharing, vanishing messages and audio or visual phone calls that can be made without a phone number.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Reading is a brain workout that can improve cognitive function (the mental processes needed for thinking, learning, and memory).
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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