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
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2025
And here’s the kicker: Walmart’s price shift is working.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 May 2025
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
High calcium levels can affect how fast your heart beats and how well other heart medications work.
—Health, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
Indeed, Xie and his team are already working on it.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 2025
And here’s the kicker: Walmart’s price shift is working.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 May 2025
Noun
Along with Thompson’s work for Axios, the most detailed report on Biden’s frailty and memory lapses came in June 2024 from Wall Street Journal reporters Siobhan Hughes and Annie Linskey.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
High calcium levels can affect how fast your heart beats and how well other heart medications work.
—Health, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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Rodriguez has been charged by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the district attorney's office said.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Sepsis is caused by an overactive immune response to infection.—
Michael L. Millenson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Already, the technology has shown its capacity to solve complex problems, optimize processes and inform enhanced decision-making.—
Chris Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Instead, Kit and Sam use their knowledge of the animal kingdom to solve problems in different animal communities.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Sail-away parties are often held when departing destinations, like a variety of personal pizzas being served while leaving Naples, Italy.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Waiters weaved around, serving cardamom-scented Arabic coffee in tiny porcelain cups.—
James Montague,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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This has forced the library system to pay a contractor $1,500 per month to power-wash the area outside the branch twice a week during the morning hours after previously relying on in-house personnel to perform the task.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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The subjects could only perform those tasks while wearing the special contact lenses.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Much of the innovation that drives societal progress and economic productivity does not emerge from revolutions in thought, but from the subtle extension and application of existing knowledge.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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During my visit, Leal and I drove in his vintage Jeep to 1900 Barker, a coffee shop on Lawrence’s main drag.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Wayne Ford,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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In recent years, charter schools have proven popular with parents both in major cities and in rural areas, and their numbers would surely have grown if churches or religious groups were free to operate these schools.—
David G. Savage,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Rob Crossan January 17, 2025 Marketed as a luxury tourist destination, the Maldives struggles with the legacy of an authoritarian government and the existential threat of climate change.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 May 2025
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While many companies have struggled to define their policies, bouncing between strict return-to-office mandates and hybrid compromises, Logitech has taken a different path.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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These jangly contradictions, presented as truths, are designed to rattle and rewire our brains; just think how easily a corrupt authoritarian leader could put them to use, and how readily a not-thinking public could fall right in line.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
20 May 2025
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Educators will have canoes and kayaks, paddles and life jackets to use and will offer instruction.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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