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
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Recent Examples of took on
After another easy basket from Dailey, Dent took on Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, stepped-back for a jumper, and benefitted from a shooter’s bounce.
—
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Into the 21st century, Davis took on less film roles and more TV work.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Later, the McDiarmid family—who lamented the closure of the original hotel and dreamt of opening their own—took on the passion project with help from a stable of longtime Tofino residents.
—Jennie Nunn, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Ball was joined on the bench in street clothes by Collin Sexton, who sat out with a neck strain when the Hornets took on the Heat in East Group C action at Kasaya Center on Friday night.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
That is certainly true for series star Robert Englund, who took on the role of Freddy Krueger.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
In 2003, Matthew Broderick took on the role of Harold Hill for a television movie adaptation.
—Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The concept dates back centuries but took on a new life in the twentieth, when Russian theosophist couple Nicholas and Helena Roerich led an expedition in the 1920s to find Shambhala in the Altai Mountains.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
After his passing, Mango’s chief executive officer Roni Ruiz took on the role of chairman of the board.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Into the 21st century, Davis took on less film roles and more TV work.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
Later, the McDiarmid family—who lamented the closure of the original hotel and dreamt of opening their own—took on the passion project with help from a stable of longtime Tofino residents.
—Jennie Nunn, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Ball was joined on the bench in street clothes by Collin Sexton, who sat out with a neck strain when the Hornets took on the Heat in East Group C action at Kasaya Center on Friday night.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
That is certainly true for series star Robert Englund, who took on the role of Freddy Krueger.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
In 2003, Matthew Broderick took on the role of Harold Hill for a television movie adaptation.
—Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
The concept dates back centuries but took on a new life in the twentieth, when Russian theosophist couple Nicholas and Helena Roerich led an expedition in the 1920s to find Shambhala in the Altai Mountains.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
After his passing, Mango’s chief executive officer Roni Ruiz took on the role of chairman of the board.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on
Verb
-
This was the third time Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes faced his two younger brothers, Devils center Jack Hughes and defenseman Luke Hughes, in an NHL game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Johnson faced a series of unfortunate events during his time searching for a solution — including shutting off his gas service just before Christmas so the lines under his home would not be damaged.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This heightened focus is prompting enterprises to rethink where AI is developed, how data is stored and employed, which chips are used, and who controls the infrastructure.—
Costi Perricos,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
For comparison, hourly pay ranged from $350 to $650 for lawyers employed by Connecticut at the governor’s and attorney general’s offices.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This borrowed-from-the-boys effect is given a feminine twist with the addition of a statement chainlink necklace, diamond rings, and a polished black leather bag—while the hemline of the slouchy shirt peeking out from the bottom of the skirt keeps the look in carefree territory.—
Freya Drohan,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Along with sources from literature, King often borrowed quotes and illustrations from White Protestant ministers and the Black church.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The five-year pro met that threshold with Memphis by appearing in 64 games in 2024-25.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Babz described Stidham’s wife, Kennedy, as one of the best people he’s ever met due to her loyalty to her husband and his journey in football.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Falcons recently hired former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski as their coach after parting ways with Raheem Morris.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The front door of Poké Court now locks automatically, and Chin has hired a doorman.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company later adopted the name Blue Bell Creameries, inspired by the native Texas bluebell wildflower.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Azad doesn’t know that she’s adopted, and Rojîn struggles with how to tell her.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In middle age, though, the only seaway Melville encountered was the brackish Hudson and his journeys consisted of tabulating the wool unloaded from Manchester, rum from Havana, and tea from Calcutta.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
American Express, Visa, and Capital One, which dropped 6% by midday trading, all encountered slight downward turns, signaling concern.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Upon arrival, officers found the injured man and woman, and the officers applied a tourniquet and recruited help from emergency medical personnel, per the release from PPB.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To help fill the gap, the research team relied on data from 27,670 adults in Sweden recruited to provide dietary data between 1991 and 1996.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20on. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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