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
Even as the Palisades and Altadena rebuild, local governments only undertook limited efforts to water recovering trees.
—
Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
After visiting the National September 11 Memorial together on Wednesday, April 29, the King and Queen undertook solo engagements in New York City, the second city of their United States visit.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
In 1811 it was converted into a hotel and became the go-to destination for those on the Grand Tour, the journey across continental Europe that young aristocrats undertook to perfect their education.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The tactic appears to have backfired, however, after Democrats successfully undertook the same strategy in California and later Virginia, which, along with Utah, have adopted new maps giving them 10 additional seats.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
The couple, who relocated from New York City to Bucks County over two decades ago, undertook a sweeping renovation to bring that vision to life.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
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
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
Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
After visiting the National September 11 Memorial together on Wednesday, April 29, the King and Queen undertook solo engagements in New York City, the second city of their United States visit.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
In 1811 it was converted into a hotel and became the go-to destination for those on the Grand Tour, the journey across continental Europe that young aristocrats undertook to perfect their education.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The tactic appears to have backfired, however, after Democrats successfully undertook the same strategy in California and later Virginia, which, along with Utah, have adopted new maps giving them 10 additional seats.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026
The couple, who relocated from New York City to Bucks County over two decades ago, undertook a sweeping renovation to bring that vision to life.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undertook
Verb
-
The state paid $13 million in cash for Waterbury and assumed $22 million in liabilities.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
However, the expansion assumed that the state had a nearly $100 billion surplus, which never materialized.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
When President John Quincy Adams accepted Bolívar’s invitation, his opponents pounced.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The Robinson plaintiffs offered a few maps that guaranteed more Black voting strength, but the plan that was accepted in court was ultimately one drawn by the state’s Republicans, including Governor Jeff Landry, a MAGA stalwart.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Californians’ need for health care doesn’t just disappear when there isn’t coverage; instead, they are pushed into emergency care and treated at a higher cost, often shouldered by taxpayers and other patients with private insurance.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
While companies shouldered much of the tariff costs, at least some were passed to shoppers through higher shelf prices.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undertook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undertook. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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