task 1 of 2

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

Examples 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
Bringing the dead to life is no easy task, of course. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025 And still, the effort to help young people make sense of the tragedy, to understand its indefinite scope, and to give them some hope for the future must be no easy task. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
How To Play 'Connections' Connections tasks players with grouping 16 words into four categories based on association. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Many expressed profound sympathies for his widow, Allison Holker, and their two young children, who were tasked with facing the complex journey of navigating grief intertwined with stigma and unanswered questions. Essence, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for task 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
Noun
  • Working in the world Unlike priests or nuns, Focolare members work regular jobs while living their lifestyle.
    Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • So Far The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Many people probably sense that at some point, there may be a societal pushback against AI, especially since many jobs are being replaced, not just in the creative field.
    Zain Jaffer, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Among its chief purposes, to honor those who kept King’s legacy alive with their own actions Thirty-seven years later, the event — now known as the largest MLK celebration in Anne Arundel County — drew some 600 guests to Maryland Live!
    Sloane Brown, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Many fans have questioned the purpose of a TV reboot given the film franchise is pretty much perfect as is, but Columbus sees its worth.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jeffrey Zupan, at the time a senior fellow at the Regional Plan Association, was entrusted with collecting data on how electronic tolling was working out.
    Ginia Bellafante, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Hired as Trump's special counsel in 2007, he was quickly entrusted with sensitive tasks ranging from negotiating vendor disputes to burying stories that might tarnish Trump's public image.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There are lots of ways to add a physical element in spot duty if the Jets want to augment Stanley and Lowry in that role or limit Stanley to the press box.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • By contrast, Frazier took on the role of outmoded power, compliant duty.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Leslie Charleson, best known for her long-time role on General Hospital, has died.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Tom Conrad, who has been on Sonos' board since 2017, took the role of interim CEO today.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The law would require the detention of any undocumented immigrant charged with (but not convicted of) crimes including shoplifting or minor theft.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
  • This might look like a customer only being charged for each support ticket that has been closed with a positive outcome.
    Arjun Pillai, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The fire was large, but remained a one-alarm assignment, according to the Facebook post.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The Starship Troopers actress is afraid of heights and was even called out by her instructors for always being terrified about the extreme assignments that she and the other celebrity recruits were given.
    EW.com, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Samsung adds an Audio Eraser function to the Gallery app that can assist with your videos.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 22 Jan. 2025
  • These series function, then, as a subtle yet potent, possibly unintentional form of propaganda, whose function is to convince viewers of all kinds that our current form of patriarchy isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near task

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!