task 1 of 2

noun

ˈtask How to pronounce task (audio)
Definition of tasknext
1
as in job
a piece of work that needs to be done regularly one of my tasks in the morning is to make lunches for everyone in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in purpose
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists the forklift's task is to stack pallets of goods in the warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

task

2 of 2

verb

as in to entrust
to give a task, duty, or responsibility to I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun task contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of task are assignment, chore, duty, job, and stint. While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

When can assignment be used instead of task?

The words assignment and task can be used in similar contexts, but assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

When might chore be a better fit than task?

While in some cases nearly identical to task, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

When would duty be a good substitute for task?

The meanings of duty and task largely overlap; however, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

Where would job be a reasonable alternative to task?

The synonyms job and task are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

In what contexts can stint take the place of task?

While the synonyms stint and task are close in meaning, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of task
Noun
That means stepping into real leadership: delegating, hiring, and letting go of low-value tasks that drain your time. —Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The hardest task was animating Jar Jar during the dawn of mocap and computer graphics. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress tasked the IRS with delivering a report on, among other things, the cost of developing and running a free direct e-file tax return system. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 But this month, I was tasked with attempting book tour style. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
  1. job
  2. purpose
  3. entrust
  4. duty
  5. role
  6. charge
  7. assignment
  8. function
Noun
  • Sure enough, in early 2024, PJ took a job as an avionics technician at Tinker.
    — Jenni Carlson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The premise alone is perfectly thrilling: Four men take a job driving explosive nitroglycerin over a mountain pass.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of job
Noun
  • The name’s ironic on purpose—the app allows users to create, send, and receive anonymous voice messages in a celebrity’s tone.
    — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.
    — Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • Why should the state be held to a lesser standard than private institutions or organizations, especially when some of the state’s most vulnerable children were entrusted to the state’s care for guidance, treatment and rehabilitation?
    — Diana Philip, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Police released a photo of this caiman pictured in a makeshift tank, and entrusted the animal to the RSPCA, Britain’s largest animal welfare charity.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of entrust
Noun
  • Without Australian star players Pat Cummins and Josh Inglis due to Test duties, compatriots Jake Fraser-McGurk and allrounder Cooper Connolly loom as x-factors and drawcards for a Unicorns franchise building around emerging players.
    — Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Products from Cambodia would face duties of more than 3,500% because its producers elected not to cooperate with the U.S. probe.
    — Nichola Groom, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of duty
Noun
  • Coach Scott Arniel likes to refer to him as a Swiss Army knife for his ability to play any role that the coaches ask of him.
    — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Rubio said the Europeans had a central role to play in any peace pact, especially as their Russia sanctions over which Washington has no control would likely need to be lifted to secure an accord.
    — Bart H. Meijer and Gabriel Stargardter, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of role
Verb
  • James River Phillips, 20, was arrested Thursday by the FBI Cincinnati Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and charged with possession of an unregistered gun and possession of a destructive device.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Keep your access fully charged for just $2.50 $1 per month for one year.
    — Molly Taft, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of charge
Noun
  • Fort Worth Star-Telegram Lillie Davidson is a general assignment reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a TCU student studying journalism (Go Frogs!).
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Among the ruins, the most important school assignment left is to live despite it all.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of assignment
Noun
  • Other tools can analyze code and generate detailed comments for functions, loops and classes.
    — Ken Ringdahl, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Trump was assessed for cognitive function, depression and anxiety.
    — Luke Garrett, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of function

Phrases Containing task

Browse Nearby Words

tarts
task
tasked
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Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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