Thesaurus results for TASK

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

task 1 of 2

noun

ˈtask

Definition of task

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

Relevance

as in role

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

While that might sound like a daunting task, there are many tools that can help. — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Rescued, Kuro decides to destroy the Dragon’s Heritage, a task that requires a tear from the Divine Dragon. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

At the center of northern Nigeria's strict religious code is the local Islamic police, known as the Hisbah force, whose personnel are tasked with upholding public morals across some of the region's 19 states. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task

Recent Examples of Synonyms for task

Noun

It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Do artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT eliminate jobs, create new ones, or both?

— Jeffrey C. Dixon, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

Taylor Farms says 40% of salad kits sold at grocery stores come from the company, giving it a massive role in supplying a convenient and cheap vegetable option for many shoppers.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The actresses are reprising their roles as the two witch sisters nearly 30 years after the 1998 original.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of role

Verb

Throughout his career, Satsky has been entrusted with highly confidential information involving some of the largest and most significant transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, his lawyer, Anello said.

— Chase Jordan August 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Now Norvell enters 2026 firmly on the hot seat, entrusting his future to another transfer quarterback.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of entrust

Noun

Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK as private citizens and will not be resuming any official duties on behalf of King Charles III.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
There is little for police to do besides offer condolences, ask questions and carry out their legal duty to confirm the parents did nothing that constitutes a crime in Idaho.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of duty

Noun

Anthropic wanted assurance that its technology would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or domestic mass surveillance, and the DOD wanted Anthropic to grant the agency unfettered access to Claude across all lawful purposes.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Thankfully, his reappearance in the show actually has a deeper purpose.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of purpose

Verb

Police investigated the death of Holmes for 18 months before charging Vaughn, Early and Brown in March 1990.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Goodyear has never been charged with any crime related to the case and has repeatedly denied any involvement in the disappearances.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of charge

Noun

At least one of those pieces is expected to be infielder Josh Smith, who rejoined Toronto on Sunday after a brief rehab assignment.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Elwood’s assignment in Vegas in September 2009 was to keep the younger Gadhafi’s name out of the headlines.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of assignment

Noun

If anything, the auto-playing dialogue functions a bit too fast, occasionally cutting off lines before the excellent voice talent can finish their deliveries.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
The exhibit’s lessons in anatomy include explanations of bodily functions and why, for example, one lung is larger than the other in humans.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of function

Browse Nearby Words

tarts

task

tasked

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/task. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of task

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Can 'task' be used as a verb?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of task

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing task

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to task

Can 'task' be used as a verb?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes