1. A change by sale or merger in the controlling interest of a corporation
   "The hostile takeover attempt was successfully resisted by the company's board"
    
2. A sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
   "The military staged a takeover, overthrowing the elected president";
   - coup d'état, coup, putsch

1. Take control of (without authority and possibly with force); take as one's right or possession
   "The military tried to take over the government";
   - assume, usurp, seize, arrogate
    
2. Take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
   "When will the new President take over office?";
   - assume, adopt, take on
    
3. Take over ownership of; of corporations and companies
   "The larger corporation took over its struggling competitor";
   - buy out, buy up
    
4. Take up and practice as one's own
   "She took over her mother's recipes and cooking style";
   - adopt, borrow, take up
    
5. Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person
   "She agreed to take over the responsibility";
   - bear, accept, assume
    
6. Take up, as of debts or payments
   "take over the costs for something";
   - absorb
    
7. Free someone temporarily from his or her obligations
   "The night shift nurse took over from her colleague at 8 PM";
   - relieve

Derived forms: taken over, taking over, took over, takes over, takeovers

See also: buy, have

Type of: accept, buy, buyout, discharge, free, fund, group action, have, purchase, take, take office

Encyclopedia: Takeover