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 his early films, Greene observed individuals who took on different, sometimes contradictory roles in their lives. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026 The star of ‘Ripley’ and ‘All of Us Strangers’ star steps up in a performance of emotional depth as Ian Charleson, the Scottish actor who took on Hamlet at the end of his life. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 As Kierny admonished both sides to follow the court’s rules, Davis took on prosecutor Michael DiGiacomo directly. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on
Verb
  • That progression is important because solid-state batteries have faced a difficult transition from promising laboratory cells to reliable, high-volume manufacturing.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The psychological thriller, which Zeller wrote, produced and directed, follows the emotional and moral challenges faced by a couple in an increasingly uncertain world.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hermès has long employed superior designers, including, in recent decades, Martin Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christophe Lemaire.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This is the stuff that keeps my, and many, many others employed.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Historically, the Grand Sport has borrowed its design characteristics from the range-topping Z06, and that’s no different this time around.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Evolutionary biologists later borrowed the line to describe arms races between competing species.
    Mark Lewis, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The New York Power Authority (NYPA) reviews compliance annually and can adjust the site’s benefits if the commitment isn’t met.
    Petala Ironcloud, ArsTechnica, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That was the question that the WWE Universe waited to be answered as the two met in a WrestleMania 42 grudge match on Sunday at the State Farm Arena.
    Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Tissot hired a hygienist who confirmed his finding of elevated lead levels in Tissot’s own home.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Cousy sat out the next six seasons before getting hired as head coach of the Cincinnati Royals in 1969.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But on Thursday, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered the state to use a different map adopted in 2022 for the imminent 2026 general election.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In North Carolina, where the G20 meeting in Chapel Hill took place, dozens of local governments have adopted moratoriums or tighter zoning rules as data center proposals spread across the state.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On September 9, 1947, the Harvard Mark II, one of the earliest computers, encountered a bug.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Officers who responded to a shoplifting call encountered two adults allegedly fleeing from the store with a child and going into a vehicle, according to bureau.
    Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Environmental regulators recruited 14 universities, nonprofits, aquariums and laboratories to focus on different pieces of the project, from genetic research and reef monitoring to coral breeding and outplanting.
    Nicolás Rivero, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But to a teenager being recruited by a fleet of big-name programs, the flash mattered more than the function.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Took on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20on. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster