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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Relevance
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of work
Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2025
Davis Lu, 55, had worked as a senior software developer at Eaton Corp. in Beachwood, Ohio, since 2007 according to Cleveland.com.
—PC Magazine, 23 Aug. 2025
Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
All leaders—from new managers to seasoned executives—must delegate tasks to free up time and attention for the big-picture work their more-senior roles demand.
—Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
Female athletes are working the deals, too, with tennis star Coco Gauff as the face of New Balance x Miu Miu shoes and tennis apparel.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2025
Davis Lu, 55, had worked as a senior software developer at Eaton Corp. in Beachwood, Ohio, since 2007 according to Cleveland.com.
—PC Magazine, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
There is no zone of privilege in her work—absolutely anything can happen at any time.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
All leaders—from new managers to seasoned executives—must delegate tasks to free up time and attention for the big-picture work their more-senior roles demand.
—Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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But the move has caused Niger, the country in West Africa where the space rock was initially found, to question the legality of its export.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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Severe storms and flooding in Muskego, Wisconsin, caused road closures, sewage issues, and damage to homes and businesses.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Trotter said the mystery of where the Carruthers ended up has been solved.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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There was so much in the world already, so many problems that needed to be solved, without complicating things by reënacting what had already happened or was happening somewhere right now or might never happen.—
Rachel Cusk,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bolton, who served in President Donald Trump’s first term, has become a vocal critic of the administration’s foreign policy and called the president unfit to serve.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Employees need to comprehend through proper communication that zero trust is a safety measure that serves to safeguard both personnel and organizational assets, rather than expressing skepticism toward their actions.—
David Schiffer,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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While performing in Elmont, NY on Sept. 9 of that year, Tyler fractured his larynx, necessitating the postponement of shows on their Peace Out tour.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The storm, still driving dangerous, 125 mph winds, was centered about 170 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, at 8 a.m. ET, the NHC said.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
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The fire truck is believed to be the city's first ladder truck and is planned to be driven in the 2026 Heritage Days parade.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As of May 2025, Ulta Beauty operates 1,451 stores across all 50 states.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
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Lawyers for Florida and the Trump administration told the court that federal law doesn't apply because the facility was built and is operated by the state.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yet this new Klan version struggled to get started, and in spite of the less-than-liberal social leanings of America in the late 1910s, membership lagged.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
15 Aug. 2025
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The state’s newest theory is that Zeigler wore a raincoat while shooting his wife and mother-in-law (who was shot with two different guns) and struggling with his father-in-law — despite the customer having the father-in-law’s blood soaked into his pants.—
Gail Hollenbeck,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Aug. 2025
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The fire department’s water rescue team immediately started rescue efforts and police used a drone to help with the search, officials said.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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