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

\/\/ charged with a variety of tasks<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'assignment' be used instead of 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words assignment<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but assignment<\/em> implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.<\/p>

\/\/ a reporter's assignment<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'chore' be a better fit than 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to task<\/em>, chore<\/em><\/a> implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.<\/p>

\/\/ every child was assigned chores<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'duty' be a good substitute for 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of duty<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> largely overlap; however, duty<\/em> implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.<\/p>

\/\/ the duties<\/em> of a lifeguard<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'job' be a reasonable alternative to 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the job<\/em> of turning the company around<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'stint' take the place of 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms stint<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> are close in meaning, stint<\/em> implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.<\/p>

\/\/ a 2-month stint<\/em> as a reporter<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'task' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ charged with a variety of tasks<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'assignment' be used instead of 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words assignment<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but assignment<\/em> implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.<\/p>

\/\/ a reporter's assignment<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'chore' be a better fit than 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to task<\/em>, chore<\/em><\/a> implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.<\/p>

\/\/ every child was assigned chores<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'duty' be a good substitute for 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of duty<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> largely overlap; however, duty<\/em> implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.<\/p>

\/\/ the duties<\/em> of a lifeguard<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'job' be a reasonable alternative to 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ the job<\/em> of turning the company around<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'stint' take the place of 'task'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms stint<\/em><\/a> and task<\/em> are close in meaning, stint<\/em> implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.<\/p>

\/\/ a 2-month stint<\/em> as a reporter<\/p>" } } ] }

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

Relevance
2
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

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
But the job of mayor of a big city like Chicago is principally a management task. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 The clerk's rather mundane tasks include keeping records and collecting payments for the county court system, in addition to managing the bureaucracy of local elections. —Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare would be tasked with the review before the end of the year and remove those who don’t have proof of having worked or volunteered at least 80 hours per month in the prior three months. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 Johnson, meanwhile, was tasked with assembling a writers’ room of the best comic scribes in the British biz. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for task
Recent Examples of Synonyms for task
  1. job
  2. role
  3. entrust
  4. duty
  5. purpose
  6. charge
  7. assignment
  8. function
Noun
  • Meanwhile Angie is class president, has won a full scholarship to college, stars in the school musicals, has two jobs; no drugs, alcohol or smoking.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2026
  • That includes donations from the labor union for air traffic controllers, whose jobs are not impacted by this partial shutdown but who understand the strain of working without pay from full government closures.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of job
Noun
  • Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash and whether alcohol or drugs played a role, authorities said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This coating plays a crucial role.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of role
Verb
  • The legislative branch is constitutionally entrusted with the passage of legislation that, with the president’s signature, becomes law.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Our baby girl was entrusted to this facility in November 2024, seven years after this series of events began.
    — Vaughan Bagley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of entrust
Noun
  • But the document suggests Florida agencies have been assigned more funding than those in any other state through the federal 287(g) program — a controversial initiative that deputizes local officers to carry out limited immigration enforcement duties.
    — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Also not required to have a license are Illinois residents who are on active military duty who are home on leave.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of duty
Noun
  • The litigation is now complicating the rollout of a Bureau of Prisons policy revision, issued in February, that would end all complimentary in-prison access to hormonal drugs and cosmetic surgeries for gender-affirmation purposes.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The left has a tremendous advantage in terms of political energy and purpose.
    — Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of purpose
Verb
  • But manufacturers use unnecessary complication to justify charging you $100,000 for $20,000 worth of car--or $350,000 for $50,000 worth of tractor.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
  • He was previously charged with retail theft at the Macy's on State Street in September 2023 and was released on bond.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of charge
Noun
  • No gas, no assignment and, most disappointing of all, no date on Wednesday.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Intellectual property assignment clauses should be enforceable only within the scope of uses the employer disclosed when the work was assigned.
    — Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of assignment
Noun
  • The gunshot caused a serious injury resulting in the loss of function to the man’s hand and fingers, police said.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2026
  • According to researchers, the behavior highlights how complex biological functions can arise from simple mechanical interactions, offering new insights for designing adaptive, bio-inspired robotic systems.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
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 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of task for Spanish Speakers

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