took 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:

took on

Or with arcane historical trivia, like the magazine capacity of the air rifle Lewis and Clark took on their westward expedition in the early 1800s.

From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2026

Enzo Maresca seemingly took on an impossible job in the summer when replacing the legendary Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but is making it look an easy task in the infancy of his tenure.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Around that time, he took on the role of grill master at the offensive line barbecues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

Only months after the attacks, Spike Lee took on 9/11 with a boldness that only 15 years of provocative filmmaking — and a lifetime of loving New York — could sharpen into an artist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Trees danced and swayed, dust and leaves rose up around us in boisterous swirls, and our jackets and outerwear took on sudden lives of their own, leaping and flapping about us.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson