1
as in substituting
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 assuming
to take to or upon oneself
took over the responsibility of caring for the animals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seizing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of taking over
With it, new media began taking over the arts’ function of representing reality.
—
Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Thus, the goal for someone involved in that kind of run may look different than, say, a new general manager taking over a team.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Daniel Radcliffe, the original Harry Potter in the movies, has given his blessing to the series and wished McLaughlin well in taking over the role.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Popular local bakery chain Estelle Bakery & Patisserie is set to expand into a new location, taking over the space at 400 Iron Point Road.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Frost went 554-133-43 after taking over for the program's first coach, Laura Halldorson, in 2007.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Mazloum has only been in the job at Disneyland for a bit over a year, taking over operations of Walt Disney’s original theme park last January.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Andrey Mir, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Thus, the goal for someone involved in that kind of run may look different than, say, a new general manager taking over a team.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Daniel Radcliffe, the original Harry Potter in the movies, has given his blessing to the series and wished McLaughlin well in taking over the role.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Popular local bakery chain Estelle Bakery & Patisserie is set to expand into a new location, taking over the space at 400 Iron Point Road.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that are customary when debating legislation.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Frost went 554-133-43 after taking over for the program's first coach, Laura Halldorson, in 2007.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Mazloum has only been in the job at Disneyland for a bit over a year, taking over operations of Walt Disney’s original theme park last January.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking over
Verb
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The court found the authority had exceeded its authority by substituting its view of the public interest for that of the state Legislature.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
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Now, if oil prices remain elevated, those same firms will face fresh cost pressures and few, or no, options for substituting oil.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The researchers suggest that future batteries may need to account for this dynamic behavior rather than assuming a stable internal structure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Alfredo Delgadillo has been promoted to CEO & President, Universal Music Latin Entertainment, assuming oversight of Universal Music Latino in the United States, while continuing to lead Universal Music Mexico and the Regional Mexican label Fono.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Riverside County sheriff and GOP governor candidate draws heat for seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election, claiming possible fraud with little evidence.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Much speculation has been focused on US forces potentially seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When that failed to stop her, Kennedy screamed at the sergeant standing in the car’s path.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The only thing standing in the way of progress is the powerful plastics and fossil fuel lobbyists — hired by the same companies responsible for polluting our planet and bodies with plastic and its toxic chemicals.—
Shanna Swan,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In particular, adopting an accepting attitude toward your experiences seems to drive many of the positive effects of mindfulness.—
J. David Creswell,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But the district is accepting broad development proposals through April 9.—
Thomas White,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most of the trouble on this night came from starter Ryan Johnson’s inability to find the strike zone and the defense’s problems converting two plays that should have been made.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
31 Mar. 2026
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The now 36-year-old Dane, who made his fortune as an early investor in Joe & the Juice, and his partner Emilie Green Novél set about converting the former village marketplace into a hotel where 18 rooms frame a courtyard.—
Selina Denman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kotb has been filling in for Guthrie in her absence.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
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Jovanovic was employed part-time by the Valparaiso Police Department as a civilian employee as a crossing guard, filling in at different schools as needed, Valparaiso Police said.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Likewise, scholars Zhou and Lee identify similar struggles among Asian Americans shouldering the weight of these social comparisons.—
Stephen Chen,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Jayson Tatum, who sat out against OKC along with fellow starter Derrick White, overcame a slow start Saturday to finish with 20 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals while shouldering his heaviest workload since his return from Achilles surgery last Friday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20over. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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