Synonyms of took over

took over

verb

past tense of take over

1

as in substituted

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substituted
• stood in
• stepped in
• filled in
• covered
• spelled
• subbed
• pinch-hit
• relieved
• doubled (as)
• understudied

2

as in accepted

to take to or upon oneself

took over the responsibility of caring for the animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accepted
• assumed
• shouldered
• undertook
• took up
• bore
• embraced
• adopted
• stood by
• endorsed
• advocated
• upheld
• championed
• backed
• acquiesced
• consented
• assented
• espoused
• acceded
• supported
• agreed
• reaccepted
• reassumed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• took back
• refused
• withdrew
• repudiated
• disclaimed
• disavowed
• disowned
• turned down
• retracted
• rejected
• renounced
• declined
• recanted
• abjured
• spurned
• refrained (from)
• abstained (from)
• avoided
• gave up
• abandoned
• bypassed
• relinquished
• forbore
• surrendered
• detoured
• unsaid
• backed off
• forsook
• backed down
• backtracked
• abnegated

3

as in seized

to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right

students protesting the war took over the college's radio station

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seized
• grabbed
• confiscated
• converted
• occupied
• stole
• claimed
• usurped
• appropriated
• commandeered
• assumed
• preempted
• annexed
• pirated
• invaded
• snatched
• pressed
• expropriated
• arrogated
• attached
• looted
• impounded
• repossessed
• grasped
• sequestered
• preoccupied
• encroached
• infringed
• wrenched
• despoiled
• collared
• peculated
• pillaged
• embezzled
• misused
• misapplied
• trespassed
• wrested
• misappropriated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of took over

Once Smith Rowe’s contribution began to wane, Martinelli took over as Saka’s partner in crime. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

When Marilyn Bartlett took over Montana’s state employee health plan in 2014, the plan’s reserves were nearly depleted. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Mourinho was hired in June and officially took over in July at the start of the preseason. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

San Bernardino deputies said the Sheriff's Rural Crimes Task Force took over the investigation and asked anyone with tips to send them to law enforcement. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

In 2017, the year Helm took over, the studio took in $120,000 in gross profit, with $134,000 in additional expenses, resulting in losses of about $14,000. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Nancy Cartwright took over for Christine Cavanaugh in 2002, voicing Chuckie Finster through the end of the series’ run and reprising the role on All Grown Up! — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026

The same year, Death Row Records took over Shakur's contract, and Davis said Combs offered $1 million to kill Shakur and Knight. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Grosses for last week were $657,451, with attendance at 99% of capacity, the strongest showing since Ross took over the role July 7. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026