work 1 of 2

Definition of worknext
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2
3
as in to serve
to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to perform
to produce a desired effect this headache remedy takes half an hour to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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6
as in to operate
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
8

work

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noun

1
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in factory
works plural a building or set of buildings for the manufacturing of goods a glass works where high quality glassware is made

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun work contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of work are drudgery, grind, labor, toil, and travail. While all these words mean "activity involving effort or exertion," work may imply activity of body, of mind, of a machine, or of a natural force.

too tired to do any work

In what contexts can drudgery take the place of work?

The meanings of drudgery and work largely overlap; however, drudgery suggests dull and irksome labor.

an editorial job with a good deal of drudgery

When might grind be a better fit than work?

The synonyms grind and work are sometimes interchangeable, but grind implies labor exhausting to mind or body.

the grind of the assembly line

When could labor be used to replace work?

The words labor and work are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, labor applies to physical or intellectual work involving great and often strenuous exertion.

farmers demanding fair compensation for their labor

When is toil a more appropriate choice than work?

The words toil and work can be used in similar contexts, but toil implies prolonged and fatiguing labor.

his lot would be years of back-breaking toil

When is it sensible to use travail instead of work?

Although the words travail and work have much in common, travail is bookish for labor involving pain or suffering.

years of travail were lost when the house burned

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of work
Verb
Close to half of professionals also worked from home. Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 One was working with the Obamas, and two was that the show had a deadline. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 June 2026
Noun
George Weah was going for work as a TV commentator. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 The complaint says Tim Lam agreed to pay for this work by email. Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
  • The announcement came just hours after the Supreme Court handed a major victory to the makers of the weedkiller Roundup, shielding it from thousands of lawsuits from states alleging the company failed to warn people the product could cause cancer.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Any worries about complacency were wiped away in the third minute when Auston Trusty fired home the opening goal and caused the stands at SoFi Stadium to shake (literally) with the noise and jumping fans.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Reopening the strait – which was fully open before the war – won’t immediately solve either of those problems.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • And even that reduction won’t be enough to solve the problem for the long term.
    Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Later, Simpson served nine years in prison after being convicted on unrelated charges.
    John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • After working in the steel mill himself, Stocklas quit and entered public life, eventually serving in the county council and as a district judge.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Over the past three and a half decades, the group has performed across the country, including in Las Vegas and Detroit, while also making history closer to home.
    Eva Andersen, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • More than just a sporting event, live music capped the action on the first two nights, with Kaskade headlining Friday and DJs Mustard and Subtronics set to perform Saturday.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Those moves unfold in the heart of the Pittsburgh Innovation District, where Oakland’s mix of universities, hospitals and startups is driving new construction and intensifying competition for space around campus.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • The shooting took place in Towson Circle as the Majied and the suspect were driving in different cars.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Air Sprint, founded in 2000, operates a fleet of 44 jets for over 600 fractional owners and ranks eighth among North American operators by flight hours.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Another pilot flying into Newark on a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines also reported seeing a drone at roughly 2,000 feet, according to ATC audio from around the same time.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition, composters are struggling with the amount of plastic and other debris that people and businesses put in the food waste bins.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be in top form after struggling in his World Cup opener, scoring two goals already today.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • That agreement set a 60-day period for negotiations on key issues, including the future of Tehran’s nuclear program amid concerns that Iran wants to use it for military purposes, a claim the country denies.
    Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • The individuals said the restoration will help ensure the organizations can use the model for defensive cyber purposes.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 27 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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