right-to-work

adjective

ˈrīt-tə-ˈwərk 

: opposing or banning the closed shop and the union shop

Examples of right-to-work in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In right-to-work states, workers cannot be required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. — Chase Jordan april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026

The effect was robust to controls for firm size, age, industry, and whether a state had right-to-work laws on the books.​ The finding is not unique to the U.S. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026

Well, except in Florida, which is a right-to-work state, nobody is required to pay dues to the union. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026

Key goals for his campaign include strengthening public school funding, improving housing access through mechanisms like rent control and empowering workers by repealing Kentucky's right-to-work law and restoring prevailing wage. — Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for right-to-work

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• telework

Legal Definition

right-to-work

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a law prohibiting labor agreements that require all employees to be union members