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task

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verb

as in to entrust
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment, chore, duty, job, and stint. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

When can assignment be used instead of task?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When might chore be a better fit than task?

While in some cases nearly identical to task, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When would duty be a good substitute for task?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of task?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

Examples 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 task
Noun
Across all tasks and experimental setups, debate always led to more accuracy. Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024 Imagine leveraging LLMs through multi-agent systems, where these specialized agents collaborate to accomplish tasks, ensuring instructions are understood and autonomously executed. Abhi Maheshwari, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The agency is also tasked with actively inspecting and reporting on all nursing homes in the country, ensuring quality standards for clinical laboratories, and enforcing HIPAA and oversight of HealthCare.gov. Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024 The five-member Board of Supervisors would then be tasked with appointing an interim district attorney, a scenario that’s never before happened in the county. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for task 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Having somehow returned, firmly, to the real world, the narrator decides to quit his job and start working in a library in a small, out-of-the-way town in Fukushima Prefecture.
    Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
  • His job on this day involves hauling containers from the congested TraPac terminal in the Port of Los Angeles to a storage yard near the port.
    Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • For apps whose express purpose is to help people find friends, my matches seemed overwhelmingly uninterested in chatting, let alone meeting up.
    Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Brendan’s devotion to his men is inextricable from his purpose in the army, but the lofty Gerry sees it as a weakness.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Paramount’s decision to entrust Scott clearly speaks to his past performances, particularly internationally.
    Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Vice President Kamala Harris has pointed to the legislation on the campaign trail as proof that Democrats should be entrusted with the U.S. economy.
    Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • While the basic concept of a fire watch remains mostly constant, there is considerable variation in fire watch requirements and duty specifics.
    Kyle Russell, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • After more than 50 years, legendary broadcast journalist Chuck Scarborough has announced his plans to step down from his daily duties anchoring the news at NBC New York.
    NBC New York, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Universal Experiences chief Mark Woodbury; NBCU chief diversity officer Craig Robinson; and general counsel Kim Harris will continue in their current roles.
    Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The veteran defensive lineman has also played an important role in Miami's run defense.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office later arrested and charged a man who made public comments about harming FEMA employees.
    Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
  • Smuggling networks were glad to help, charging fees that could reach $90,000 per person.
    Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The assignment would let Curtis, a moderate on energy and climate issues, stay active in the Senate in discussions about the IRA and climate-friendly trade policy.
    Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Beyond photography Traveling was always a part of Doman’s life, whether for sports games, other assignments or with family.
    Natasha Delion, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • With that, my team and I shifted focus from topics such as how chronic stress influences brains to how positive events – and anticipation for these events – shape neural functions.
    Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Drivers reportedly complained about touchscreen systems adding in at times annoying levels of friction to simple functions like climate control and music.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near task

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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