LIFEWORK Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

lifework

noun

Definition of lifework

as in work

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 lifework Spreading that message is Bigtree’s lifework. — Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026 Four years after Farmer’s death, Clinton reflects on preserving her mentor’s lifework in health care and remembers his tender tenacity. — Chelsea Clinton, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026 How an accident led to a career Pruitt came to his lifework literally by accident. — Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifework

Noun

After all, the class was her sanctuary through a breakup, during feelings of inadequacy and when she was frustrated with work.

— Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The grant will pay for design and preconstruction work for the bridge in the Baker neighborhood.

— Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of work

Noun

That vocation would ultimately be bookselling, with a specialization in travel books.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
The Kennedy assassination all at once gave Martin a vocation and a network of pen pals and phone buddies; her monomania also provided her kids with an opportunity for experiential learning in a pre-digital era.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of vocation

Noun

To call them journalists would be an insult to the profession.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
While the state has many unfilled jobs in various categories, there are difficulties in hiring in some professions, leading to high amounts of overtime in the Connecticut state budget, officials said.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of profession

Noun

Data on climbing salaries shows that a job that pays well at 25 may offer surprisingly little wage growth by 50, while another occupation with a more modest starting point can produce dramatic earnings such as the ones in the Coin Insider analysis.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The French took control of Menorca from 1756 to 1763, and, as Juaneda tells me, Louis-François-Armand du Plessis, Duke de Richelieu, the commander of the French troops, organized a banquet to commemorate and celebrate the occupation of the island.

— Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of occupation

Noun

Meanwhile, a Goldman Sachs report indicates AI's impact on employment is currently limited, primarily affecting entry-level positions and specific sectors like call centers, showing slower job growth since 2022.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, the 3Rs, would help those of us who set aside traditional employment for this work rebuild health coverage, careers and retirement.

— Vanessa Chism, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of employment

Noun

Some young residents, still early in their careers, are turning to unconventional living arrangements, including living with elderly roommates, to keep their housing costs down.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
There’s no unwinding in the serene nature and crisp German air of Baden-Baden, the historic town long associated with restorative living, and that seamless discretion is entirely the point.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of living

Noun

Over the course of its five-year mission, the Roman telescope will capture images of the Milky Way, survey the entire sky and observe supernova explosions that occurred as far as 8 billion years ago.

— Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
The Boxer can support amphibious operations and aviation missions from its expansive flight deck.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mission

Noun

Coachella, Australia, Hawaii, Japan, Idaho, now London’s calling!

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2026
Now he’s headed home to San Francisco with a wide open path to being heavily featured, at least as much as last year in a much better offense with way more efficient QB play and much better play-calling.

— Michael Salfino, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of calling

Browse Nearby Words

lifetimes

lifework

lifeworks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lifework.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifework. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lifework

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

southpaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes