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

Iraola was deemed the outstanding candidate to replace Slot based on his body of work over three seasons at Bournemouth. — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Alongside its core savings, GoodRx is bundling medications, care, and support into memberships designed to work over months and years. — Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

That made auctions, somewhat counterintuitively, one of the more attractive places to buy important works over the past six months. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

Earlier this year, Lowe’s announced a $250 million commitment to help train 250,000 skilled trade workers in fields like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work over the next decade. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 July 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