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
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
So Etess increasingly took on more roles at the resort.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
Cities took on the atmosphere of graveyards, and mourning black became the dominant color of daily life.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
So Etess increasingly took on more roles at the resort.
—Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
Cities took on the atmosphere of graveyards, and mourning black became the dominant color of daily life.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took on
Verb
-
In the weeks since, NYC and the surrounding areas have faced frigid temperatures, which has allowed for the white stuff to linger.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Brazil, which faced duties as high as 50%, along with Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa, would face lower rates, noted Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The brutal tactics employed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and various other federal agencies are intended to strike fear in immigrants and other people of color, primarily Black folks, as well as Transgender and LGBTQIA+ communities.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Investigators say a board member told them Hernandez used to be employed by the former property management company as the building's general maintenance employee, but then was placed on the building's direct payroll in 2024 when Obismo took over.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
So much so that by June 1870, Rillet filed a trademark injunction with the New York Supreme Court, trying to stop a competitor who had borrowed the name while abandoning the process.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Alpha School Scottsdale has also borrowed language and practices from gaming to maximize growth.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If these issues can be addressed/met, then this new battery could have some legs.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Alongside peace talks conducted over the past year, the head of Russia’s state fund has frequently met with Witkoff to discuss massive economic deals including the acquisition of Russian energy assets and rare-earth mines, in exchange for bringing Russia sanctions relief.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Duffy said that a number of states have hired other companies to administer commercial driver's licenses tests, and those companies aren't enforcing the standards that drivers are supposed to meet to demonstrate their driving and English skills.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In February 2025, NASA hired an independent team to determine why the mission failed, examining everything from broken hardware to leadership mistakes.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thomas and Friedland adopted a baby boy from Texas after struggling with infertility.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These metrics were likely adopted to support admirable values — health, relationships, and better workplaces — but over time, our connection with them shifts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Yet beyond the headline cities and endlessly recycled itineraries lies a quieter, deeper continent; one that’s best encountered through patience and a willingness to detour from the obvious itinerary.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once recruited, victims were allegedly forced to conduct romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes and other online frauds targeting victims abroad.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Heavily recruited football standout Elyjah Staples has been almost unstoppable in the last two games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20on. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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