undertake
verb
un·der·take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 
undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən ; undertaking
; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən ; undertaking transitive verb
1
: to take upon oneself : set about : attempt
undertake a task
undertake to learn to swim
2
: to put oneself under obligation to perform
also : to accept as a charge or responsibility
the lawyer who undertook the case
3
: guarantee, promise
readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scottintransitive verb
archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility
Synonyms
- accept
- assume
- bear
- shoulder
- take over
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He's undertaking a thorough search. The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web The King will now undertake a four-nation mourning tour, with Monday marking the next part of the Queen's journey to her final resting place in Windsor. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 The queen continues to personally undertake her duties as head of state, such as appointing the prime minister and signing off on laws. Max Colchester, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 Gather secondary data from others, undertake an extensive literature review of books and journal articles, and conduct primary interviews where possible. Henry Devries, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Some automakers, notably Tesla, undertake the expensive and time-consuming process of reporting a range for every wheel-and-tire combination on each of its models, but most do not. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 The Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition based in Washington, D.C., will undertake three in-depth studies by year’s end, examining school safety, special education delivery, and transportation operations. Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 The Simpsons and its follow-on King of the Hill also undertake a broader critique of suburbia, mass media, family life, and beer-swilling fat guys than does South Park. Chris Norris, SPIN, 13 Aug. 2022 Why didn’t the previous owners undertake these efforts, even if only motivated by the financial benefit? Jonathan Rose, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 So, what’s a stock buyback, and why do companies undertake them? The Editors, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 The queen continues to personally undertake her duties as head of state, such as appointing the prime minister and signing off on laws. Max Colchester, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2022 Gather secondary data from others, undertake an extensive literature review of books and journal articles, and conduct primary interviews where possible. Henry Devries, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Some automakers, notably Tesla, undertake the expensive and time-consuming process of reporting a range for every wheel-and-tire combination on each of its models, but most do not. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 The Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition based in Washington, D.C., will undertake three in-depth studies by year’s end, examining school safety, special education delivery, and transportation operations. Christopher Huffaker, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 The Simpsons and its follow-on King of the Hill also undertake a broader critique of suburbia, mass media, family life, and beer-swilling fat guys than does South Park. Chris Norris, SPIN, 13 Aug. 2022 Why didn’t the previous owners undertake these efforts, even if only motivated by the financial benefit? Jonathan Rose, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2022 So, what’s a stock buyback, and why do companies undertake them? The Editors, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
undertake
verb
un·der·take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
undertook
-ˈtu̇k
; undertaken -ˈtā-kən
; undertaking 1
: to plan or try to accomplish
They undertook a trip around the world.
2
: to take on as a responsibility : agree
I undertake to deliver your package.
undertake
verb
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself undertook the responsibility of raising the orphaned children as their own Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- accept
- assume
- shoulder
- bear
- embrace
- adopt
- endorse
- take over
- acquiesce
- uphold
- advocate
- accede
- take up
- support
- espouse
- agree
- consent
- stand by
- assent
- indorse
- back
- champion
- reassume
- reaccept
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repudiate
- refuse
- renounce
- withdraw
- disavow
- disclaim
- retract
- reject
- take back
- avoid
- abjure
- recant
- spurn
- forbear
- decline
- turn down
- relinquish
- abandon
- refrain (from)
- disown
- bypass
- forsake
- spurn
- abstain (from)
- detour
- surrender
- unsay
- give up
- backtrack
- back down
- abnegate
- back off