work over

verb

worked over; working over; works over

transitive verb

1

: to subject to thorough examination, study, or treatment

shelf stock worked over by shoppers

2

: to do over : rework

saved the play by working the first act over

3

: to beat up or manhandle with thoroughness

My boxing opponent worked me over in the ring.

Synonyms of work over

• lick
• hide
• pound
• lash
• do
• hit
• punch out
• beat
• whip
• attack
• knock
• assault
• pelt
• batter
• slap
• punch
• thump
• bat
• beat up on

Examples of work over in a Sentence

the mob boss's thugs really worked him over

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2018, Sharples and his research lab, now at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo, were the first to show that exercise could change how our muscle-building genes work over the long term. —Bonnie Tsui, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026

Choosing habits that feel realistic and sustainable, and returning to them when life gets busy, is what makes these five tips work over the long run. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026

Does Brayden Point’s spectacular body of work over the past three seasons trump Bedard’s far better 2025-26 campaign? —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026

The grants will fund development work over the next two years as Maryland tests how the tools could be used alongside existing systems. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for work over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover