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

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
Leyla’s stories often deal with an ordinary task or sensation that connects the character to some higher realm of experience. Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 28 May 2026 This is propelled by the synergistic growth of its EPYC server CPUs, which continue to capture substantial market share from Intel, along with its Instinct AI accelerators (MI300 series), which are establishing themselves as the main credible competitor to Nvidia for AI tasks. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
Secretaries were also tasked with identifying repeat audit findings where additional resources would be needed to solve issues, among other directives from the governor. Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2026 As a rookie, Egbuka was tasked with playing all four receiver positions. Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • On one side were Carson’s years growing up in provincial Columbus, Georgia, and the succession of Southern towns to which her husband’s job had called them.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • Kory Kantenga, head of economics for the Americas at LinkedIn, explained how the high prices consumers are seeing at gas pumps may affect their teenager’s ability to land a job at their local grocer.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • The role of a leader is to show the way to work.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • That principle still holds, but the cycle time has compressed and is reshaping the leadership role itself.
    Lior Weinstein, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Other league commissioners, including the NBA’s Silver, are entrusted with that role.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
  • There’s a similar mismatch happening with fourth lines in the series, too, with Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour entrusting William Carrier, Mark Jankowski and Eric Robinson with key minutes and being rewarded with three key goals already in this series.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Madix took over hosting duties in 2024.
    Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Her effortless, model-off-duty style rarely misses.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • My novel is about that sea-change and the search for purpose.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
  • While there is nothing particularly Jordanian about the design, the interiors serve multiple purposes for visiting business travelers and tourists.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Baker is also charged with burglary, breaking into a car, auto theft and other offenses, authorities said.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 June 2026
  • Each category is designed around different performance characteristics, balancing factors such as charging speed, energy density, lifespan, and thermal stability.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Maya Rosenberg Maya Rosenberg is an assignment editor based in Miami.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 May 2026
  • In Coursemojo’s case, Toll said the tool draws on grade-level texts, questions, and writing assignments from English language arts curricula already adopted by districts.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Potassium is an essential electrolyte used for cellular metabolism, nerve and muscle function, and heartrate whereas phosphorous has multiple functions including regulation of metabolism.
    Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • Inside, the ship functions like a floating city, with pilots, flight crews, cooks, doctors and firefighters all working around the clock while deployed around the world.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster