1
2
as in employed
to provide with a paying job
decided to take her on as store manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Taking advantage of the best day of weather this spring, Hughes took on a starring role again, going 1-for-3 with three RBIs for the Warriors in a 4-3 nonconference victory at Geneva.
—
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
This work took on new significance following the tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia crew in February 2003.
—Emily A. Margolis, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Holt, who took on the role of team president earlier this month, served as the president of the United Soccer League from 2009 to 2015.
—Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The special game was scheduled for March 16, when the Hawks took on the Orlando Magic in State Farm Arena.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Back then, in the musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ best-seller — with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa — Doctor Who star Matt Smith took on New York yuppie and increasingly maniacal investment banker Patrick Bateman.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Ellis took on several pseudonyms over the years, including Three-Six, the Spirit, Big Dotti, and Terror Child.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Faith took on new urgency during covid.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The actress met Bingham on the set of Yellowstone in 2020 when Harrison took on the role of Laramie.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
This work took on new significance following the tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia crew in February 2003.
—Emily A. Margolis, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Holt, who took on the role of team president earlier this month, served as the president of the United Soccer League from 2009 to 2015.
—Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The special game was scheduled for March 16, when the Hawks took on the Orlando Magic in State Farm Arena.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Back then, in the musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ best-seller — with music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik and a book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa — Doctor Who star Matt Smith took on New York yuppie and increasingly maniacal investment banker Patrick Bateman.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Ellis took on several pseudonyms over the years, including Three-Six, the Spirit, Big Dotti, and Terror Child.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Faith took on new urgency during covid.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The actress met Bingham on the set of Yellowstone in 2020 when Harrison took on the role of Laramie.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on
Verb
-
In the third inning Rocker was faced with runners on the corners with Spencer Steer up to bat with two outs, and Rocker retired the left fielder in three pitches, ending with a ground out to third base to escape the inning with no damage.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
First-year manager Kurt Suzuki said the pitchers the Angels have faced are part of the issue.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The officer is no longer employed by Baltimore Police Department and the individual no longer lives in Maryland, Bradford said.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
More than 70 percent of the 45 million workers directly employed by India’s garment and textile industry—its second-largest employer after agriculture—are women.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The amount borrowed could be adjusted to coordinate with other proposals to help address the solvency gap, Kaine said.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
According to the study, 40% of medical students borrowed more than $50,000 in a single year, while 14% had lifetime federal debt of more than $200,000.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Molly was safely transported back to the mainland, where Johnston met her, and the two had an emotional reunion after an eight-day ordeal.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The two friends met years ago while working for different social justice organizations.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The relationship healed after Howard was hired as Michigan’s basketball coach in 2019.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
James Robert Conroy of New Britain adopted the dog and named it Stubby for his short tail.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
FiberColors builds on the success of Archroma’s EarthColors platform, which has now been adopted by more than 50 global brands resulting over 60 tons of plant residue from the herbal and pharmaceutical industries being recycled.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By trapping and levitating phonons in a vacuum with an optical tweezer, the researchers demonstrated the technology with the device, but also encountered noise issues.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Officers encountered large groups of juveniles downtown on Sunday and responded to multiple fights, officials said.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Patreon has recruited Substack talent by dangling sweeteners like revenue guarantees.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The North Star is depicted with five points, to represent the five members of Hansen's immediate family (him, his wife and three children) as well as the state of Texas, where Hansen and his family have been living since he was recruited as a CSA astronaut in 2009.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20on. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
