as in work
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Recent Examples of lifework
That Miyazaki’s lifework is now grist for the generative-A.I. mill might be not only an insult but a copyright infringement.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2025
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his lifework of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
From a restricted viewing area not far away, Louise Prockter, a graceful scientist with sandy hair, glanced at a countdown clock and then back at the rocket, which carried her lifework.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his lifework of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
Plus: Big Tech’s swearing in Amanda Petrusich remembers Garth Hudson
An origami master who lost his lifework in the L.A. fires
What if the Attention Crisis Is All a Distraction?
—Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
Young artists want to reclaim their vision READ PART 2:Native art, Native artists: Breaking down the 'wall': Indigenous art masters inspired to rebel against gatekeepers
How an accident led to a career
Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
How an accident led to a career Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Don Luigi Ciotti, a seventy-nine-year-old priest, has become a household name in Italy for his lifework as an anti-Mafia activist.
—Hannah Jocelyn, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2025
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his lifework of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
From a restricted viewing area not far away, Louise Prockter, a graceful scientist with sandy hair, glanced at a countdown clock and then back at the rocket, which carried her lifework.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his lifework of research and preservation.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
Plus: Big Tech’s swearing in Amanda Petrusich remembers Garth Hudson
An origami master who lost his lifework in the L.A. fires
What if the Attention Crisis Is All a Distraction?
—Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025
Young artists want to reclaim their vision READ PART 2:Native art, Native artists: Breaking down the 'wall': Indigenous art masters inspired to rebel against gatekeepers
How an accident led to a career
Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024
How an accident led to a career Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Don Luigi Ciotti, a seventy-nine-year-old priest, has become a household name in Italy for his lifework as an anti-Mafia activist.
—Hannah Jocelyn, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifework
Noun
-
The physical, mental, and emotional work required of DSPs does not equal the current median pay rate and is ultimately contributing to employee burnout and turnover.—
Brian Cusack,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
-
Chronic low back pain (LBP) can be debilitating because of its ability to impact important areas of daily life: mobility, work, sleep, and mental well-being.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Ben scrapes by as a none-too-gracious DoorDash delivery driver, among other odd jobs; Jordan may have a vocation as a photographer, but needs to apply himself.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
27 June 2025
-
My grandmother found her vocation within the surrounding and seemingly infinite national forestland, and after helping at the family-run tavern and serving his country in World War II, my grandfather built handcrafted fishing rods.—
Paul Nicolaus,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Usher and Tom Brady Two titans in their respective professions, Usher and Brady were photographed near each other at the Gritti Palace Hotel.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Their professions range from sales representatives to community coaches, and Auckland’s winnings of roughly €4 million ($4.5 million) from the Club World Cup—peanuts to elite clubs—is a fortune for an entity and federation not used to dealing in such sums.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Her various occupations, paid and unpaid, included teaching convicts at an area penitentiary and substitute-teaching in junior high.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
According to Roeser, this decrease in pay could be partly due to the 200 survey participants who no longer reported their occupations as software developers.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
In the past, foundational technology shifts have led to greater employment as new sectors and businesses were born.—
MoneyShow,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
But eventually, problems with linking health insurance to employment emerged.—
Renuka Rayasam,
NPR,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
As the cost of living has crept higher in subsequent years, some states and municipalities have boosted their own minimum wages through a combination of ballot measures, inflation adjustments and legislation.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
-
While there are only renderings of the rooms (for now), the vision includes light wood floors, bright white linens, separate sleeping and living spaces, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to verandas, allowing the Egyptian sun to illuminate every inch of the ship.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
When those food chains are disrupted, that's bad for coastal communities, bad for food security and livelihoods.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
-
As the fish began to disappear, so did people’s livelihoods, and in some cases, desperation filled the void.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
But helping people understand the mission was one half of the journey.—
Sara Braun,
Fortune,
21 June 2025
-
Unfortunately, Sam’s missions keep her from fulfilling her maid of honor duties, so Betsy replaces Sam with her soon-to-be sister-in-law (Anna Chlumsky).—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifework.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifework. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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