UNDERTOOK Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

undertook

verb

past tense of undertake

as in assumed

to take to or upon oneself undertook the responsibility of raising the orphaned children as their own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 undertook The street maintenance project that Fort Worth undertook in 2020 has become larger than itself. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Ryan undertook extensive restoration work after acquiring Castleton, modernizing the home without sacrificing its historic character. — Mark David, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026 Deetjen was president of the Oak Lawn Rotary when the club undertook the effort with the village to construct the memorial. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Roger Penske's team undertook the immense challenge of building the entire circuit and facilities from scratch, navigating complex federal and local jurisdictions, a feat more intricate than the Indy 500. — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Last year, Missouri lawmakers undertook redistricting to edge out the state's other Democratic representative, Cleaver, who has represented Kansas City in Congress since 2004. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 In May, authorities undertook a mass rescue of hundreds of animals, including 165 horses, at a troubled sanctuary in Julian called Villa Chardonnay. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026 This year marked a major step in her recovery as the Princess of Wales undertook her first royal visit abroad since her diagnosis, visiting Reggio Emilia in northern Italy to learn about their approach to early childhood learning. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 The most notable travels were by Faxian and Xuanzang, two Chinese Buddhist monks who undertook arduous journeys to India to learn more about the region and its culture. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undertook

Verb

At the extreme upper end, the study found that a maximum possible prevalence of CTE — if researchers assumed that every former football player had CTE except for the 20 whose brains had definitively been cleared of a diagnosis — was around 97%.

— Becky Sullivan, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Taylor has quickly assumed a leadership role, with her coach using her as an example of expectations.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of assumed

Verb

The agreement had been offered last year and accepted by the official who oversees the Pentagon's Guantanamo war court, only to be revoked last August by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin amid criticism of the deal from Republican lawmakers.

— Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The sighting still needs to be accepted by the California Bird Records Committee, which reviews and confirms rare bird sightings.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of accepted

Verb

But increasing fees will only add to the burden already being shouldered by residents, said Olivier Cale, who serves with Brown on the budget advisory board.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Quarterback McKenzie Milton shouldered the primary burden, assembling a 37-touchdown season that scraped near Heisman talk.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of shouldered

Browse Nearby Words

undertones

undertook

undertow

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Undertook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undertook. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of undertook

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

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