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

Collagen-boosting peptides work over time to plump and smooth the appearance of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid hydrates and softens, and a protective cocktail of vitamins A, C, and E shields skin from daily environmental aggressors. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026

Angie Moore, a bartender at The Do Drop Inn, a bar on Main Street, was working over the weekend and watched groups of kids running past the business several times, saw youths jumping on top of a car and spotted some who made it to the rooftop of a downtown building. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

McGinniss watches and lives and eats with the team, painting enchanting portraits of the team hierarchy at work over many-course meals. —Leander Schaerlaeckens june 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

Rice has played just one inning at catcher since the start of spring training, and he has not been spotted doing any catching work over the past several weeks. —Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 6 June 2026

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