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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Turnout this year was lower than for the last gubernatorial primary, when Lamont faced a challenge from Bridgeport’s Joe Ganim in 2018.

— Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial has centered on the mental health issues the 36-year-old faced after giving birth to her third child.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 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

When Liverpool borrowed him from Paris Saint-Germain in December 2001 following the departure of fan-favourite striker Robbie Fowler, there were questions about his character and attitude after previous spells at Arsenal and Real Madrid.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The party responsible for repayment generally depends on when the debt was incurred, who borrowed the money, the type of account and applicable state law.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 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 group, which oversees competitive swimming from the youth to Olympic level, hired former University of Delaware athletics director Chrissi Rawak as CEO in February 2025.

— Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Yet, to Alice’s great frustration, she has not been hired as the team’s head coach, watching instead as the job went to Ted.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of hired

Verb

About one third of its customers had adopted that safeguard, which will now become mandatory by year’s end.

— Soo Youn, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Dozens of developing and emerging-market countries adopted nearly 200 emergency measures, including conservation mandates, fuel subsidies to tax suspensions, and emergency efforts to secure alternative supplies.

— Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of adopted

Verb

Along the way, he's encountered some of the challenges that come with spending weeks on two wheels.

— Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Cottonmouths — semiaquatic snakes also known as water moccasins — are in the top three most commonly encountered venomous snakes in Arkansas, Davis said.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of encountered

Verb

And who knows about Newcastle, who have lost three crucial players and only really brought in promising youngsters, all of whom will be managed by someone recruited from the Saudi Pro League.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Directed by Jon Favreau, the film premiered in theaters May 22 and follows bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice, Grogu, as they’re recruited by officer Colonel Ward (Sigourney Weaver) to aid the New Republic.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026