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
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Recent Examples of work
Paul Ridden
june 24, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
But without the compliance of countries that manufacture such things, including Japan and the Netherlands, U.S. restrictions won’t work.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Asha Bandele, Essence, 25 June 2025
If this were the 1990s, remote and hybrid work would be impossible.
—Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
View gallery - 6 images For the last few years, Italian engineers have been working on a humanoid robot for emergency response applications.
—Paul Ridden
june 24, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
But without the compliance of countries that manufacture such things, including Japan and the Netherlands, U.S. restrictions won’t work.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Noun
Our healing, life-changing work would not have been possible without the wisdom of our 60-plus-person Braintrust.
—Asha Bandele, Essence, 25 June 2025
If this were the 1990s, remote and hybrid work would be impossible.
—Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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After a sit-down interview with Bobbie Thomas, Harlow was surprised by Jenna Bush Hager with video messages from three women with vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
This condition causes fat to build up around the belly and upper back.—
Stella Bard,
Health,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The Yankees could solve both of those problems by trading for a third baseman and moving Chisholm back to second base.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Featuring country-style sausage, fluffy eggs, crispy Bo-Rounds, melty Monterey Jack cheese, and Southern-style sausage gravy, the Bo-Rito is a full-size breakfast wrapped in a warm flour tortilla and served with a side of Texas Pete hot sauce.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
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In 2005, Strom served as deputy director of scheduling to former President Bill Clinton and was subsequently tasked with creating a program, the Clinton Foundation Millennium Network, which reflected Clinton’s vision of engaging the next generation of leaders.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Flowering cherries are among gardeners' favorite spring blooming trees, but not all cherries perform well in the South.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
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Modern executives must similarly create robust succession planning, knowledge transfer systems, and institutional memory, not just to perform well during their tenure, but to set up the next generation for success.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Alvarez has been pleased with his pitch recognition, which has helped drive his walk rate and on-base percentage to career bests.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
One lectured me once, another taught me how to drive, another changed my tire, and so on.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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His influence on Chelsea’s sequences of possession is almost entirely focused on the left ‘pocket’ or half-space, operating alongside Cole Palmer as one of two advanced creators in a ‘box’ midfield.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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This lack of real-time integration gives insider threats the space to operate undetected, eroding an enterprise’s ability to respond effectively.—
Muhi S. Majzoub,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Apple has long dominated the smartphone market, and even at a competitive price, Trump's new phone will likely struggle to compete.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 June 2025
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Both struggling defenders were pulled at halftime, replaced with like-for-like alternatives (Reed Baker-Whiting and Jon Bell) who fared better in the second half.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters China is devising more ways for foreign institutions to use the yuan, as international confidence in the U.S. dollar falters.—
Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
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Testers reported the sterilizer works well and that using it is a breeze.—
Olivia Campbell,
Parents,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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