takes on

Jump To:

assume, accept v.
compete v.
challenge, oppose v.

VERB

assume, accept

Synonyms

WEAK

acquire add address oneself to adopt agree to do annex append attempt become begin come to have commence develop embrace employ endeavor engage enlist enroll espouse handle have a go at hire launch put on retain set about tackle take in hand take up take upon oneself try turn undertake venture

Antonyms

WEAK

refuse reject

VERB

compete

Synonyms

WEAK

attack battle contend contest encounter engage face fight match meet oppose pit vie

Antonyms

WEAK

refuse reject

VERB

challenge, oppose

Synonyms

WEAK

brave buck call out confront dare defy denounce dispute face off go eyeball to eyeball with go one on one with go toe to toe with go up against hang in insist upon investigate invite competition make a stand object to question stand up to throw down the gauntlet

Antonyms

WEAK

refuse reject

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

takes on

A good legal brief takes on the strongest argument of the other side and deals with it head-on.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

“Human skills remain even more important as AI takes on more complex work and reshapes fields in ways we can’t fully predict,” says Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s vice president of education.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

For week four, he takes on Dorking Wanderers manager Marc White.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

“And that was very clarifying for me. When you are the element that gets that story told, it takes on an importance and urgency.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

And Vincent, now almost twenty, enthusiastically takes on the role of sage older brother and mentor.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman