task 1 of 2

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
Bringing the dead to life is no easy task, of course. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 And still, the effort to help young people make sense of the tragedy, to understand its indefinite scope, and to give them some hope for the future must be no easy task. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
How To Play 'Connections' Connections tasks players with grouping 16 words into four categories based on association. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Many expressed profound sympathies for his widow, Allison Holker, and their two young children, who were tasked with facing the complex journey of navigating grief intertwined with stigma and unanswered questions. Essence, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for task 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Trump campaigned on putting 20% tariffs on all goods coming into the U.S. If that happens quickly – say, in the months between when a job is bid and when it's finished – that could make a solar project unprofitable.
    Jeff Brady, NPR, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Other volunteers set up in the job center’s parking lot to divide donations into care packages of food, toiletries, water and clothing.
    Yvonne Condes, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Plus, headbands serve a practical purpose too by keeping your hair out of your face.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
  • However, the purpose of the coenzyme is not just the appearance of eternal youth.
    Essence, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jeffrey Zupan, at the time a senior fellow at the Regional Plan Association, was entrusted with collecting data on how electronic tolling was working out.
    Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Hired as Trump's special counsel in 2007, he was quickly entrusted with sensitive tasks ranging from negotiating vendor disputes to burying stories that might tarnish Trump's public image.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There are lots of ways to add a physical element in spot duty if the Jets want to augment Stanley and Lowry in that role or limit Stanley to the press box.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • By contrast, Frazier took on the role of outmoded power, compliant duty.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Kelly O’Donnell and Gabe Gutierrez will continue their roles as senior White House correspondents, and Monica Alba and Aaron Gilchrist will remain White House correspondents.
    Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Because banks and insurance companies have significant asset and liability mismatches due to their role as financial intermediaries, any climate change stress can quickly hurt their earnings and even their liquidity.
    Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Of course, additional trims add equipment, with highlights in the S trim including keyless entry and push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, a wireless device charging pad and front and rear parking sensors.
    James Raia, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Jamal was charged with luring a child, stalking in the second degree and harassment in the first degree.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The fire was large, but remained a one-alarm assignment, according to the Facebook post.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The Starship Troopers actress is afraid of heights and was even called out by her instructors for always being terrified about the extreme assignments that she and the other celebrity recruits were given.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The same study noted that snoozing may not necessarily affect cognitive function and mood.2 Still, staying consistent with your wake-up times will likely offer benefits.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Calling up someone from the practice squad would make the Bills lose a number at a different position for someone who would be a variable in that role, without any other function than that role.
    Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near task

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on task

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