undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaking
Synonyms of undertake

transitive verb

1
: to take upon oneself : set about : attempt
undertake a task
undertake to learn to swim
2
: to put oneself under obligation to perform
also : to accept as a charge or responsibility
the lawyer who undertook the case
—often followed by to + a verb
He undertook to raise his sister's children.
3
: guarantee, promise
… readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed …—Sir Walter Scott

intransitive verb

archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility

Synonyms of undertake

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Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search. The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For visitors already planning several days in Stockholm, Uppsala is an easy way to add another layer of Swedish history without undertaking a lengthy journey. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Her biggest concern is that creating an academy modeled after the military service academies would conflate what NASA does—the peaceful, civil exploration of space—with military activities undertaken by the US Space Force. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 The street maintenance project that Fort Worth undertook in 2020 has become larger than itself. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Santa Fe reconstruction timeline The reconstruction of Santa Fe has been touted as the largest project the city has undertaken. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undertake

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undertake was in the 14th century

Rhymes for undertake

See All Rhymes for undertake

Browse Nearby Words

undertail
undertake
undertaker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

undertake

verb
un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaking
1
: to take upon oneself as a task : enter upon
undertake a journey
2
: to take on as a duty : agree, contract
undertake to deliver a package
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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