take on
verb
took on; taken on; taking on; takes on
transitive verb
1
a
: to begin to perform or deal with : undertake
took on new responsibilities
b
: to contend with as an opponent
took on the neighborhood bully
2
: engage, hire
3
a
: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own
the city's plaza takes on a carnival air
W. T. LeViness
W. T. LeViness b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on
intransitive verb
: to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way
she cried, and took on like a distracted body Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
Synonyms
- battle
- encounter
- engage
- face
- meet
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate decided to take her on as store manager
Recent Examples on the Web ABC News reports that Karoline Leavitt is projected to win Tuesday's GOP primary to take on Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., setting up a general election matchup in one of the nation's most competitive House races. Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2022 After Camilla and Charles married in 2005, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla would take on the title Princess Consort once Charles ascended the throne. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Sep. 2022 Why 9/11 special master wouldn't take on Trump documents case 5 things to know about Queen Elizabeth II's wealth Special master candidates submitted by Trump and Justice Dept. CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 Literary superstars such as Taylor have been eager to take on the role of both guide and medium, providing front matter that links the past with the present by placing classic texts in a contemporary context. Je Banach, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 To incentivize people to take on open roles, whether dishwasher or line cook, the industry will need to offer employees those perks, as well as a living wage, several people told the Post. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2022 This channel showcases how small businesses and entrepreneurs use Google resources to take on challenges and grow their businesses online. Essence, 30 Aug. 2022 When her brand joined LVMH, it was announced that McCartney would take on a special adviser role to help steer the group on sustainability matters. WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Ilias, who owns a cafe in Crimea, decided to take on the perilous flight in search of safety with his wife in June, almost four months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Fox News, 21 Aug. 2022 See More
Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2022 After Camilla and Charles married in 2005, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla would take on the title Princess Consort once Charles ascended the throne. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Sep. 2022 Why 9/11 special master wouldn't take on Trump documents case 5 things to know about Queen Elizabeth II's wealth Special master candidates submitted by Trump and Justice Dept. CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022 Literary superstars such as Taylor have been eager to take on the role of both guide and medium, providing front matter that links the past with the present by placing classic texts in a contemporary context. Je Banach, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 To incentivize people to take on open roles, whether dishwasher or line cook, the industry will need to offer employees those perks, as well as a living wage, several people told the Post. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2022 This channel showcases how small businesses and entrepreneurs use Google resources to take on challenges and grow their businesses online. Essence, 30 Aug. 2022 When her brand joined LVMH, it was announced that McCartney would take on a special adviser role to help steer the group on sustainability matters. WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Ilias, who owns a cafe in Crimea, decided to take on the perilous flight in search of safety with his wife in June, almost four months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Fox News, 21 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
taken on
verb
1
as in faced
to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- faced
- engaged
- met
- encountered
- opposed
- battled
- fought
- contended
- emulated
- rivaled
- rivalled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- escaped
- evaded
- eluded
- retreated
2
as in employed
to provide with a paying job decided to take her on as store manager Synonyms & Similar Words
- employed
- hired
- paid
- recruited
- laid on
- retained
- feed
- engaged
- placed
- assumed
- signed (up or on)
- enlisted
- promoted
- reemployed
- partnered
- rehired
- reengaged
- upgraded
- jobbed
- apprenticed
- subcontracted
- re-employed
- contracted
- re-engaged
- scouted
- kept (on)
- advanced
- headhunted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dismissed
- discharged
- canned
- fired
- laid off
- sacked
- axed
- locked out
- furloughed
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
- borrowed
- adopted
- embraced
- taken up
- assimilated
- taken over
- picked up on
- cultivated
- espoused
- imitated
- absorbed
- incorporated
- used
- brought up
- followed
- usurped
- domesticated
- honored
- utilized
- appropriated
- put on
- naturalized
- quoted
- treasured
- affected
- cherished
- nurtured
- prized
- assumed
- simulated
- arrogated
- copied
- fostered
- heeded
- pretended
- reared
- raised
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abandoned
- given up
- relinquished
- surrendered
- forsaken
- thrown out
- rejected
- thrown away
- disowned
- abjured
- renounced
- abnegated
- spurned
- repudiated
- discarded
- jettisoned
- junked