Synonyms of work
1
as in to cause
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this new drug can really work wonders
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2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
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3
4
5
as in to drive
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
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6
7
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
the organization has worked for years to raise people's awareness of human rights issues
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8
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
a young boy who worked his aunt for all she was worth in toys and candy when she visited once a year
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1
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production
unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print
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2
as in production
something produced by physical or intellectual effort
the new Web application is the work of a pair of young but highly gifted programmers
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3
as in job
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
the work of a movie director is to tell a story through a series of striking images
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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
put a lot of work into the project
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5
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
what line of work are you in?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work
HubSpot, 12 June 2025
Though still in the early stages, researchers say this type of synthetic skin could one day help robots work more effectively in factories, dangerous environments, or even assist in disaster relief efforts.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 June 2025
Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 13 June 2025
The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to step into the spotlight, especially in your work or daily routines.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
And if all that sounds like too much, BMW is working on a system that would monitor passengers’ health and pull over or call for help in the event of an emergency.
—HubSpot, 12 June 2025
Though still in the early stages, researchers say this type of synthetic skin could one day help robots work more effectively in factories, dangerous environments, or even assist in disaster relief efforts.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 12 June 2025
Noun
There’s a deep yearning and caring at work here that is the film’s idiosyncratic strength, but also may be its weakness, plausibility-wise.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 13 June 2025
The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to step into the spotlight, especially in your work or daily routines.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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Middle East stocks largely fell on Sunday, and analysts expect other world markets to slide Monday over fears that rising oil prices will cause global economic disruption and lead to stagflation.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
15 June 2025
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As kick-off approached, the ground was only a third full and looked likely to cause FIFA some embarrassment.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Verb
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No single solution can completely solve the cost challenges, but wind is the single biggest step forward Maryland can take to stabilize prices with a zero-fuel-cost energy source.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 June 2025
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To be most successful, the company must continue to balance its expansion into solving ultra-difficult scientific and engineering challenges using its supercomputers with maintaining its stronghold in EDA for chip makers.—
Anshel Sag,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Coach also served as the designer behind Reid’s 2024 Met Gala look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 June 2025
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Chris Brancato serves as showrunner of The Westies, co-creating and executive-producing alongside Michael Panes.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
10 June 2025
Verb
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But for all its funny parts, the show highlights Reilly’s mellifluous croon, honed from an upbringing performing musical theatre.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
15 June 2025
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Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Eras Tour in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 24, 2023.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Goldstein drove Boozer home with a sacrifice fly and Corral plated the go-ahead run with a single through the right side.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2025
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Sundowns’ success has also arguably been good for South Africa, helping drive new standards, develop players and coaches, and change perceptions about what is possible for clubs from the continent when investment is made available.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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An oil refinery was damaged in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, according to the firm operating it, which said no one was wounded.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
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Vienna owns and operates about 220,000 apartment units.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Flummoxed in Congress, organizing back home The pushback to Trump has been slow in starting as congressional Democrats, outnumbered in both chambers, continue to struggle to devise the strongest message and most effective tactics to use against the Republican president.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
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Just as a time traveler from the 1960s would struggle to navigate modern life without learning how to operate a phone, a talented professional in 2025 who hasn’t learned to work with AI tools is out of step with reality.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, police in Seattle used pepper spray to clear out protesters, and officers in Denver used smoke and pepper balls to control a crowd.—
Krysta Fauria,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
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Could breeze through the low-minors using just his fastball, but secondary stuff needs work to reach his potential, and focus on development of those pitches will likely slow down his development and lead to more mixed results in some outings.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
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