TOOK ON Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

took on

verb

past tense of take on

as in faced

to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in employed

to provide with a paying job decided to take her on as store manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in borrowed

to take for one's own use (something originated by another) recently arrived immigrants who are eager to take on the language and culture of their adopted homeland

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 took on The Mothers of East Los Angeles — the legendary women’s group that took on Eastside politicos in the 1980s and 1990s — was born in Resurrection’s pews. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 In making the deals, the Twins uncharacteristically took on payroll, paying the entirety of the roughly $5 million combined owed to Minter and Kremer. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Yungblud easily took on the song’s euphoric verses as Corgan accompanied on guitar, both clad in all-black, from the four-time-platinum LP. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026 Jefferson took on the role of writing the first draft of the declaration. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 Ament didn’t quite reach his offensive potential at Tennessee, but this is not dissimilar to the gamble the Bucks once took on a young Antetokounmpo. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026 Influencer Gabriela Moura made her World Cup debut on Saturday as her home country of Brazil took on Morocco. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 The grand property later took on a radically different role as the state-of-the-art St George's Hospital, rebuilt in 1825 by architect William Wilkins, the mind behind London’s National Gallery. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026 As heir to the throne, Elizabeth ultimately took on a role she wasn't born for. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on

Verb

The reef system has faced significant decline for decades due to rising water temperatures, disease and pollution.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Starship, which underpins Musk’s longer-term goals in space, has faced a rocky development path marred by explosive setbacks, malfunctions and delays — at a cost of $15 billion and running.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of faced

Verb

Within that, the number of people classifying themselves as employed fell 87k while the number of people classifying themselves as unemployed fell 178k.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
That sensitivity is reflected in the adorable strategy Hunnam employed to detox from playing Gein throughout the production.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of employed

Verb

Arguably the biggest technical change is the adoption of a brake-by-wire setup borrowed from the mid-engined Ferrari 296 GTB.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026
Making The Math Actually Math Cybersecurity has always borrowed frameworks before finishing the translation.

— Claude Mandy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

The local band leader Benjamin Washington was there, who Williams had not yet met.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Each day, a rotating group of about 25 dedicated volunteers operate the center to support about 40 to 50 unhoused individuals, ensuring their basic needs are met.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of met

Verb

The city of Detroit has hired a senior director of retail attraction to bring national and regional chains into the city.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026
Christian Bale is the only actor on this list who was hired, fired, and rehired before filming began.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hired

Verb

Others had encountered her through nightlife, music or mutual friends.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026
Inside the funeral home, sources told the Tribune on Friday, police and other authorities encountered bodies on gurneys but also on shelves alongside equipment.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of encountered

Verb

Directors and advisors are recruited for their experience and education, and their principal contribution is to apply strategic judgment.

— James Langabeer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
The industry recruited legions of transportation planners and politicians; by the mid-20th century, these new allies had agreed to rebuild their cities to accommodate cars.

— Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026