as in assumed
to take to or upon oneself
undertook the responsibility of raising the orphaned children as their own
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Recent Examples of undertook
Under her watch, the department routinely ignored the separation of powers, withheld evidence that may have painted the president in unflattering light and even undertook prosecutions at his behest.
—
Barbara McQuade, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
While Prince Harry undertook solo outings on April 15 (local time), including a visit with the charity Movember on the outskirts of Melbourne and meeting veterans at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, had her own announcement.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
The labor movement undertook two fights, resisting workers being displaced by machines but also resisting workers being treated as machines, subhuman fodder fuelling technological progress.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Iran nuclear deal signed After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration undertook a direct diplomatic approach beginning in 2013.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026
The authorities stamped out slavery and undertook the systematic conquest of Angola.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The Hollywood writer, producer, and director—best known for his work on the hit films Seabiscuit, Big, and The Hunger Games—and his wife, Claudia Solti, subsequently undertook an extensive renovation, which included landscaping the private garden and adding a wellness and entertainment space.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
Bedrock undertook a similar effort to restore the old decorative ceiling plaster that was throughout the ground floor.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
So, Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining them a honey-oak hue that warms up the home from the ground up.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Mar. 2026
Barbara McQuade, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
While Prince Harry undertook solo outings on April 15 (local time), including a visit with the charity Movember on the outskirts of Melbourne and meeting veterans at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, had her own announcement.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
The labor movement undertook two fights, resisting workers being displaced by machines but also resisting workers being treated as machines, subhuman fodder fuelling technological progress.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Iran nuclear deal signed After a decade of unsuccessful attempts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Obama administration undertook a direct diplomatic approach beginning in 2013.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026
The authorities stamped out slavery and undertook the systematic conquest of Angola.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
The Hollywood writer, producer, and director—best known for his work on the hit films Seabiscuit, Big, and The Hunger Games—and his wife, Claudia Solti, subsequently undertook an extensive renovation, which included landscaping the private garden and adding a wellness and entertainment space.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
Bedrock undertook a similar effort to restore the old decorative ceiling plaster that was throughout the ground floor.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026
So, Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining them a honey-oak hue that warms up the home from the ground up.
—Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undertook
Verb
-
As a reluctant child of the Ain’t it Cool News era, the Drafthouse had long assumed some kind of legendary status in my mind.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Investors have assumed that geopolitical tensions will eventually fade and markets will rebound.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And when property rights are defined and broadly accepted, people are more likely to cooperate than to fight.—
Antony Davies,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Williams and Whitehouse, though, have both said the tryout fees for Flight 88 will go directly toward uniform, travel and education costs, and that the program isn’t planning to charge any additional costs for athletes once accepted.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the Cape Ann League, seniors Finn Wright (six goals, assist) and Luke Wile (four goals, assist) shouldered the load offensively as Ipswich pulled away for an 18-5 win over Lynnfield.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Jackson estate shouldered those extra costs because its error necessitated the changes, insiders say.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undertook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undertook. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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