took on

past tense of take on

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 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 The pictures Cooley took on Ragusa’s property were of rows of pink and purple native flowers and sunflowers set amid city lights and a dreamy sunset. Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 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
  • In September 2024, state economists attributed the drop in play to a decline in scratch-off sales as consumers faced inflationary pressures coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic period, which saw a spike in Lottery purchases.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The policy decision arrived as oil prices surged and stock prices tumbled in response to a resumption of fighting in the Middle East, underscoring the challenge faced by central bankers tasked with containing price increases.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • According to the Grapevine-Colleyville school district, Pitulic was employed as a substitute at GCISD since January 2023.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
  • Conversely, women already employed experienced no similar career advancement, suggesting this bias primarily affects first impressions.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Now, researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have borrowed a trick from bridge engineering to keep these ocean giants standing.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • Executives may mistake the absence of obvious consequences for proof that their system is working, when in fact, today’s performance is often borrowed from tomorrow’s decline.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • But the relationship has markedly shifted since the two last met five months ago.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • This will be the first time the Rangers have met the Rays this season.
    Cal Phillips Updated July 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • That need has helped to push the Nats to join the Miami Marlins, who started to employ the tactic in the majors late last season, and the Rockies, who hired the Marlins’ assistant pitching coach this winter.
    Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Presley told the Board of Managers that over the last few months, the district has hired 142 uncertified teachers.
    Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Forty-seven institutions have now adopted formal policies of institutional neutrality modeled after the University of Chicago's Kalven Report.
    Scott White, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Judicial Council recently adopted the reporting requirement and is developing a public dashboard expected to launch next month.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The government leases only 48,000 square feet and 29 parking spots in the 350,000-square-foot property, and the lease does not extend to the place where prosecutors say Morrow and Stanley encountered officers, the defense attorneys maintain.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Officers arrived and encountered the boy with his mother before he was taken to the Bimini Community Clinic for medical attention, authorities said.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Bishop recalled being doubted as a quarterback and recruited to play another position.
    Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • The smugglers sometimes recruited their clients into the network to pay off their costs, prosecutors said, or persuaded them to make testimonial videos for prospective border crossers.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Took on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20on. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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