1
as in operating
being in effective operation
the only working coal mine in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in applied
capable of being put to use or account
as a would-be independent filmmaker, you'll need a working knowledge of motion picture photography and editing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
a boss who is of the opinion that a working employee is a needed employee, as idleness is a sign of dispensability
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this new drug can really work wonders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in acting
to have a certain purpose
the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in performing
to produce a desired effect
this headache remedy takes half an hour to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in driving
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in using
to control the mechanical operation of
show me how to work the machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
the organization has worked for years to raise people's awareness of human rights issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in exploiting
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of working
Amy Francombe, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
According to police documents, Brown was pulled over for non-working taillights.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Multiple forces are now working against the group simultaneously.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
Adjective
Audrey Gelman, co-founder of Insta-famous women’s co-working space The Wing, has returned with a new venture.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
According to police documents, Brown was pulled over for non-working taillights.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
The robots acted more like a demonstration of what could come next rather than a working solution ready for scale.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Multiple forces are now working against the group simultaneously.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for working
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working
Adjective
-
Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.—
Rachel Nostrant,
Houston Chronicle,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Efforts to enable reversible, two-way actuation have led to the development of systems such as semi-crystalline networks and liquid crystalline elastomers, which depend on structural alignment under applied stress.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Scott received her master's in leadership from Belhaven University and has a bachelor's in applied psychology from Christian Brothers University.—
Lucas Finton,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a new dark comedy (now in theaters) from Dream Scenario director Kristoffer Borgli, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play Charlie and Emma, an engaged couple whose wedding plans are thrown into disarray when the latter makes a disturbing confession.—
Tiffany Kelly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Performance Data Helps Teams Focus on What Works Content strategy can become more effective when teams identify which pages attract attention, which channels drive visits, and which topics keep users engaged and loyal.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the Island of the Gods, fresh ideas arrive like waves, creating a glorious cocktail of cultures and influences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One recalled how their oldest child once pushed an unplugged vacuum cleaner across the living room, carefully creating vacuum lines without actually cleaning anything.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The action to rescue her falls eventually to Mario and Luigi, having relocated permanently to the Mushroom Kingdom and serving as protectors of the realm, solving problems for its inhabitants.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The team is solving a case that could save their agency.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Justice Department, which is ultimately responsible for bringing criminal cases of insider trading, is acting, all too often, as an arm of the White House.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Annual middle-class income requirements are high, ranging from $80,000–$90,000 for a single adult to over $130,000 for families, with housing and childcare acting as primary cost drivers.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Wednesday morning, Coral Springs police discovered Metayer‘s body inside her home while performing a welfare check.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Research from Anthropic last month revealed that AI is theoretically capable of performing the majority of tasks in white-collar fields, such as engineering, law, and business and finance.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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