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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in employed

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

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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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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of took on 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 Remaining crew members then took on supplies and set course for the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, the ship’s operator Oceanwide Expeditions said. — ABC News, 12 May 2026 Caro had joined Warners in April 2024, and took on his previous post in January 2025 after Alberto Carullo, then VP of Productions for Italy and Iberia at what was then Max, left WBD to join Mediaset. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on

Verb

The surrounding province of Sistan and Baluchestan has also faced a yearslong insurgency by Sunni Baloch militant groups.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Ibiza is hostile to new club owners, and Ushuaïa faced the usual onslaught.

— Max Marshall, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026

Definition of faced

Verb

The security guards, who were employed by Akima Global Services, were distinguishable by the color of their shirts.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Igoe did not respond to an email asking if the deputies were still employed or had been disciplined due to the incident.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026

Definition of employed

Verb

Other excursions, such as walking tours with knowledgeable local guides and active pursuits like kayaking and snorkeling, are also available—though many guests simply wandered on their own or borrowed snorkeling gear from the ship.

— Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026
That number was still a pipe dream weeks later when, as the story goes, Mary Kay borrowed twelve dollars to hightail it to Dallas for a Stanley sales rally.

— Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

Also Monday, Michigan hired Brown coach Mike Martin as an assistant to run the Wolverines offense.

— Tobias Bass, New York Times, 14 July 2026
When Gaspard was hired as political director on Obama’s presidential campaign, Michelle Obama was in need of some staff of her own.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Definition of hired

Verb

The New Evidence also devotes time to the defense theory that Laci encountered the burglars who robbed the home of across-the-street neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
Later that morning, officers again encountered the van and surrounded it after its occupants allegedly attempted to flee a second time, Reitz said.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of encountered

Verb

He was recruited at great cost to win this World Cup, and because of his tactical nous in knockout football.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The trippy, mind-bending sci-fi thriller stars Matthew McConaughey as a former NASA pilot recruited for a mission to find a potential new world for mankind when Earth becomes unlivable.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026