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
Since taking over as chair of the Senate Insurance Committee in 2019, her ballot measure committee has taken at least $193,000 from industry players, including Allstate, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Personal Insurance Federation of California Agents.
—
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Hard-throwing lefty reliever José Alvarado appeared to be taking over the full-time closer role early in the year, but in May, he got hit with an 80-game suspension for a positive performance-enhancing drug test.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Why some troops can't just get fitter Pete Hegseth has made fitness standards a major focus since taking over the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Mills was honored for her performance as Heather Webber on General Hospital, a role she's played since 1980 after taking over for Robin Mattson.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Just like that, New York Comic Con 2025 is underway, taking over the Javits Center from October 9 through 12.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
While there wasn’t animosity between Mozeliak and Bloom (who served in an adviser role until taking over the organization this month), the Cardinals’ leadership transition plan was certainly unorthodox.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The Arizona Department of Public Safety major incident division will be taking over the investigation, Bower said.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Gino Wang, JSerra, QB The sophomore has led the Lions (3-2) to three consecutive wins since taking over as the starer.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking over
Verb
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Villalobos said the students used training guns with paintballs substituting for bullets.—
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Some took the trend and ran with it, substituting the actual skin care for a stick of butter.—
Verb
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Ahead of that, the Duke of Sussex will host a one year to go celebration in July 2026—which, assuming their security is sorted, Meghan Markle could also attend.—
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As previously established, city code permits those, assuming riders aren’t operating them recklessly.—
Verb
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But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
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Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Verb
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The protesters in Los Angeles were standing in solidarity with Iranians when the vehicle-ramming attack unfolded in the Westwood neighborhood.—
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That leaves Josh Allen as arguably the best quarterback standing in the AFC.—
Verb
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Existing MetroCards can still be used — the MTA will announce a cutoff date for accepting MetroCards later this year — but they can no longer be reloaded with funds.—
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Irby believes accepting the deal is the best option for a town with little power or money.—
Verb
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In our discussion, Hollinger weighs in on whether Detroit should go all-in or operate with an opportunistic mindset; how patient the Pistons should be with guard Jaden Ivey; Detroit’s path to converting Daniss Jenkins’ two-way contract; the future of veteran forward Tobias Harris and more.—
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The technology uses hydraulic cylinders to capture the kinetic energy of vertical wave motion, converting it into a steady stream of renewable electricity.—
Verb
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That’s when Wolves assistant coach Micah Nori, who was filling in for an ill Chris Finch, turned to an unlikely defensive stopper.—
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For some of the victims’ families, the interviews clarified how and why the crimes unfolded, filling in gaps that police files and court records never fully answered after years of unresolved questions.—
Verb
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Even facing arguably golf’s toughest test and shouldering enormous expectations, few would bet against Scheffler.—
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In Oklahoma, however, family caregivers are the ones shouldering the burden.—
Cite this Entry
“Taking over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20over. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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