1
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
I'll take over for her until she gets back from her morning break
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to seize
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
students protesting the war took over the college's radio station
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in seizure
the unlawful taking or withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority
the new government's high-handed takeover of private industries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of take over
Alex Golden, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that what remains of USAID will be taken over by the State Department.
Ironically, Rubio used to be a major supporter of USAID.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
In a press release issued this afternoon, the Kennedy Center confirmed that its board of directors, which Trump has stacked with loyalists as part of his takeover, voted to appoint the former reality show host as its chairman, effective immediately.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take over 
Verb
The Fayetteville Public Library is looking for a restaurateur to take over the cafe space previously operated by 641.DELI.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that what remains of USAID will be taken over by the State Department.
Ironically, Rubio used to be a major supporter of USAID.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
In contrast, just 23% of Democrats expressed support for taking control of the canal, with 20% favoring a peaceful takeover and 3% favoring means that could include force.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
In a press release issued this afternoon, the Kennedy Center confirmed that its board of directors, which Trump has stacked with loyalists as part of his takeover, voted to appoint the former reality show host as its chairman, effective immediately.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for take over
Verb
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This is why brown sugar must be substituted carefully.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
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The request seems to have substituted for small talk, as though the artist were skipping incidental matters to inquire about what was really on his mind.—
Richard Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print. Find more Picture Prompts here.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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Smith said none of the current trustees will be accepting health benefits, which is consistent with all other cemetery districts in San Diego County.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit seized 148 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, according to a statement the sheriff's office posted to Facebook.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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The rebels on Friday also claimed to have seized a second airport in the region, in the town of Kavumu outside Bukavu.—
JUSTIN KABUMBA,
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Although law enforcement seizures of illicit fentanyl have surged in recent years, there’s also some evidence that the drug supply is changing again.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
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Yet Hamas' victory in the last-ever Palestinian elections held in 2006 gave way to infighting and Hamas' eventual seizure of the territory in 2007.—
Ellie Cook,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Reclaimed white pine flooring by the Hudson Company stands in handsome contrast to board-and-batten paneling in the primary bathroom, where the tub is by Randolph Morris.—
Elizabeth Fazzare,
Architectural Digest,
17 Feb. 2025
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Models stood in a clock formation underneath an actual clock, which had four sides for Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Seoul.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to public filings with the UK’s corporate register, Runge, a German citizen, assumed the role at the end of last month after departing Interview Magazine.—
Angelica Villa,
ARTnews.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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In the latest entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mackie assumes the role as the titular hero, taking over from Chris Evans, whose character Steve Rogers passed the shield to Mackie’s Sam Wilson at the end of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Delle had set the glass on the floor, and was now occupying her hands by picking at her inky black manicure.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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The Chiefs became the first team to win with their quarterback occupying more than 13% of the salary cap.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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It is funded outside of the congressional appropriations process, and its funding comes from the Fed.—
Laurel Wamsley,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
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The Foreign Assistance Act, and then, of course, every appropriations bill that funds the State Department and foreign-ops budget.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Take over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/take%20over. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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