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
Because of this, using your range hood consistently when cooking with gas is strongly recommended, even for simple cooking tasks. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026 Trying to find an explanation for why a claim was denied is a fruitless task. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
At the center of northern Nigeria's strict religious code is the local Islamic police, known as the Hisbah force, whose personnel are tasked with upholding public morals across some of the region's 19 states. ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • In April, Flock Safety opened a 97,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna that is intended to create more than 200 jobs over the next three years as part of a $10 million investment.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That last might be especially true for female human beings who may be more encouraged to have derived an identity based on our role as marital partner or parent.
    Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The case turned into a years-long legal saga, with multiple people convicted of their roles in arranging the hit, including Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson, and her mother, Donna.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Giants are entrusting Bryce Eldridge, their 21-year-old rookie, with the job of protecting Devers in the lineup.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My teenage aunts, entrusted with the care of thousands of white larvae feasting on lush, thick mulberry leaves, had to get up in the middle of the night to scatter more leaves into the trays.
    Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • My duties in washing the dishes mark the exact time and place.
    Alex Jovanovich, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And in 2025, when Mexico raised duties on Chinese autos and steel, China put tariffs on Mexican pecans.
    Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • By the end of Saturday night, the sanctuary had served two purposes at once.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Chevy provided The Drive with travel, accommodations, and access to the vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Police investigated the death of Holmes for 18 months before charging Vaughn, Early and Brown in March 1990.
    Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Goodyear has never been charged with any crime related to the case and has repeatedly denied any involvement in the disappearances.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • At least one of those pieces is expected to be infielder Josh Smith, who rejoined Toronto on Sunday after a brief rehab assignment.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Elwood’s assignment in Vegas in September 2009 was to keep the younger Gadhafi’s name out of the headlines.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • If anything, the auto-playing dialogue functions a bit too fast, occasionally cutting off lines before the excellent voice talent can finish their deliveries.
    Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The exhibit’s lessons in anatomy include explanations of bodily functions and why, for example, one lung is larger than the other in humans.
    Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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