TAKES ON Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

takes on

verb

present tense third-person singular of take on

as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in employs

to provide with a paying job decided to take her on as store manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in borrows

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of takes on The mental load of harder cases As AI takes on routine tasks, human agents may be left dealing with a greater share of complicated cases — and be required to pick up the slack when the technology fails. — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 The other game is another SEC matchup as Missouri takes on Ole Miss. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Clarks x Damson Madder Damson Madder x Clarks Originals collection, which launched Thursday, features two fresh takes on Clarks archive styles. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026 Closing out the evening at Louis Armstrong Stadium, American Learner Tien takes on Russian Karen Khachanov, hoping to join compatriots Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen in the last eight. — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026 Newport Harbor is 9-0 and takes on Edison and Marina in league matches this week before beginning play in the Dave Mohs tournament. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Hylton takes on a task that has for many years been anchored by Alex Witt. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 If no candidate secures a majority of the vote in Tuesday's primary, the contest could head to a runoff later this month to determine who takes on Democrat Annie Andrews in November. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Shadowbox takes on management of Kaufman Astoria after a tumultuous period at the studios. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes on

Verb

Ticketmaster also faces a separate lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and seven states.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
On paper, Boise State football faces one of its easier opponents of the season this weekend.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of faces

Verb

Our parent company, CRH, employs 1,278 people across 59 locations in 48 North Carolina communities to produce the aggregates, asphalt, masonry products, pipe, and precast solutions that make construction possible.

— Kevin Blackwell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
And when a trillion-dollar company receives generous tax incentives for a building that employs relatively few permanent workers, local officials are entitled to ask what their constituents are getting.

— Zev Laine, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of employs

Verb

This creates a compounding cycle of high-cost debt where the business borrows money strictly to service existing commercial obligations, effectively pulling the operation underwater.

— Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The idea borrows from hotels and weddings and reframes those keepsakes as everyday home decor.

— Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of borrows

Verb

The Paul & Shark customer values the freedom to explore the world but doesn’t want to compromise on the sense of elegance that gives so many of life’s daily encounters their richness.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2026
When Jay encounters a giant squid being chased by a mammoth sperm whale, he’s unwittingly entangled in the former’s tentacles and swallowed up in one extended, terrifying sequence.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of encounters

Verb

This becomes especially important when a business enters another state, hires employees in a new jurisdiction, changes its legal structure or begins working with international customers and suppliers.

— Prasanna Kumar, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
GoCardless hires graduates from any discipline but still encourages them to qualify as accountants and pays for the exams.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hires

Verb

The aircraft’s arrival also reflects a broader shift in how law enforcement adopts new equipment.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Consistent with our principles of objectivity and fair process, the referral neither adopts nor rejects the factual assertions in your letter and does not prejudge OPR's assessment.

— Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of adopts

Verb

Georgia, a perennial top-10 program and national championship contender, typically recruits passers of Matthew Stafford-level pedigree.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Pursuit recruits through the New York City Housing Authority, the public library system, local labor departments and community groups, and plans to add small business associations.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026