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

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

The pressures Wong faced throughout her lifetime were severe.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
McBride faced noticeable backlash from the GOP caucus before even arriving to Capitol Hill after winning the state's at-large congressional race two years ago.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of faced

Verb

In this case, Donohue would have asked the replay operator, employed by the company Hawk-Eye, to show him replays from side-on — in this case, the cameras level with the 18-yard line and the goal line.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Another 2% of the global workforce is employed indirectly — heavy equipment and ships, for example, don't build themselves.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of employed

Verb

Every detail is borrowed from the banks AmaMagdalena carries 60 guests in 30 staterooms.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Historically, banks were required to hold a fraction of certain deposits as reserves, and lent or borrowed to meet those requirements.

— David McMillin, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of borrowed

Verb

The Harmonizers met for the first time in the Elgin City Hall courtroom on April 30, 1946, with 20 men in attendance and Ben Willis leading the singing.

— Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Spencer held warm feelings towards Charles shortly after the then-Prince of Wales and Diana met at Althorp House in 1977.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of met

Verb

La Strada had served for 14 years as the Pettis County clerk, overseeing local elections, when Hoskins hired him as the state's election integrity director in January 2025.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
While in College Station, Fisher compiled a 45-25 record, which is fine, but definitely not what he was hired to do.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of hired

Verb

Police bodycam footage shown to jurors Friday gave them a glimpse into the Flynns’ home as more officers rushed inside and encountered Flynn kneeling in the dining room.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
That is exactly what runner Becca Ostien encountered near Lincoln Park.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of encountered

Verb

In 2019, the New York Times did an investigation into Max’s depleting state and found that painters were recruited to paint in the style of Max, where then the artist would be instructed to sign each work.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
But the Jamar Mozee effect has supplied the Cornhuskers with a collection of KC players either coached or recruited by Mozee.

— PJ Green September 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026