taking on

present participle of take on
1
as in facing
to enter into contest or conflict with will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 taking on In the case of Yemen, the ground fighters inside the country who are taking on the Houthis are deeply divided and fought each other as recently as January. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 The sharp selloff in bonds has given investors a rare opportunity to lock in stock-market-like returns without taking on the risk that comes with equities, investment advisors to the ultra-wealthy told CNBC. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Established in 2022, the Albies showcase the achievements of individuals who have dedicated their life to pursuing justice on a global scale, often taking on great personal risk in the process. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2026 Pugh also serves as an executive producer on East of Eden, taking on a central role in the creation of the series since she was brought on in 2020. — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026 Her whole mission in taking on that case was to do it differently than the other case. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026 For the hunter, Hussey said, taking on the Hansenesque hero role is appealing. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 Then the evening slate is highlighted by the Yankees battling Tampa, and finally, the Padres taking on the Brewers. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Most significantly, Jessica Lange returns to American Horror Story for the first time since Apocalypse, once again taking on her season-one role as Constance, the nosy neighbor who lived next door to the Murder House. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking on
Verb
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career after three years of war, crisis and global outcry over the country's military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • As technology companies become increasingly valuable, executives are facing greater scrutiny over how that wealth should benefit the public.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Facebook agreed to pay $14 million in 2021 to settle claims about its hiring practices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The more routine work that technology removes from that process, the more projects those teams can evaluate without hiring in proportion to demand.
    — Shiva Dhawan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • France's unrest is fueling investor concerns over the country's fiscal outlook, after borrowing costs hit their highest level since 2002 earlier this week.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • It's called an exchange because borrowing entities, like a regional heating oil retailer, would be required to replace the same volume at a premium ahead of next year.
    — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Jones said the potential consequences for policyholders could be severe if an insurer’s financial position deteriorated enough to stop it from meeting its obligations.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Consumers who desired perfect products used more filters and set higher cutoffs, narrowing their search to hotels that came closer to meeting their standards.
    — Aprajita Gautam, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These are basically less privileged neighborhoods where the government is meant to show a greater focus on education by employing more teachers and so on.
    — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine has gotten very good at drone warfare, employing these little robots both in offensive and defensive capacities.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In 2024, after more than ten years of consideration, and contrary to the recommendation of its own Anthropocene Working Group, the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy voted against formally adopting the Anthropocene as our new epoch.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Additionally, partners need to have a clear understanding of how the innovator, supply chain and brand will share the risks associated with adopting a new technology.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The incident began shortly before noon, when California Highway Patrol officers reported encountering a person armed with a knife during a traffic violation, according to the sheriff's office.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Yiyun Li on encountering the past in writing Music Against the Night.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The company is currently recruiting for seasonal full- and part-time roles across its stores and distribution centers.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Hospitality, retail and tech are recruiting people who’ve already solved the problem banks are trying to solve, just in a different building.
    — Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Taking on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20on. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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