take on
verb
took on; taken on; taking on; takes on
1
a
: to begin to perform or deal with : undertake
took on new responsibilities
b
: to contend with as an opponent
took on the neighborhood bully
3
a
: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own
… the city's plaza takes on a carnival air.—
W. T. LeViness
W. T. LeViness
b
: to have as a mathematical domain or range
what values does the function take on
: to show one's feelings especially of grief or anger in a demonstrative way
… she cried, and took on like a distracted body …—Daniel Defoe
Daniel DefoeExamples of take on in a Sentence
will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate
decided to take her on as store manager
Recent Examples on the Web
Defending champion Argentina survived an upset bid by World Cup darling Cabo Verde 3-2 earlier Friday and next takes on Egypt Tuesday in a Round of 16 game at Atlanta.
—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
Just as Argentina was set to take on Cape Verde, FIFA’s Fan Fest at Bayfront Park reached capacity.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
Designers have already sketched their answers for WWD, imagining everything from grand couture ballgowns to more unexpected takes on the singer’s bridal era.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
As Mexico’s team prepares to take on England on Sunday night, a match that many predict will be the toughest yet for El Tri, authorities nationwide are vowing to strengthen safety protocols.
—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for take on
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Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
Just as Argentina was set to take on Cape Verde, FIFA’s Fan Fest at Bayfront Park reached capacity.
—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
Designers have already sketched their answers for WWD, imagining everything from grand couture ballgowns to more unexpected takes on the singer’s bridal era.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
As Mexico’s team prepares to take on England on Sunday night, a match that many predict will be the toughest yet for El Tri, authorities nationwide are vowing to strengthen safety protocols.
—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for take on
Cite this Entry
“Take on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20on. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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