WORK Synonyms: 457 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

work 1 of 2

verb

ˈwərk

Definition of work next

as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) this new drug can really work wonders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning finally figured out how to work the math problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to serve

to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to perform

to produce a desired effect this headache remedy takes half an hour to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion this pump is worked by hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to operate

to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

work

2 of 2

noun

as in composition

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in effort

the active use of energy in producing a result put a lot of work into the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living what line of work are you in?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How does the noun work contrast with its synonyms?

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

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare would be tasked with the review before the end of the year and remove those who don’t have proof of having worked or volunteered at least 80 hours per month in the prior three months. —

Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 However, my focus is on standing with working men and women, labor, and developing opportunities in creating jobs that reward the dedication and commitment shown by UFW membership. —

Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Noun

The American always had the engine and work rate to flit between defensive and attacking duties in a central midfield berth. —

Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026 The committee -- led by judges and set up in December -- will also examine if systemic problems, such as bid-rigging, occurred in large-scale building maintenance and renovation works. —

Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for work

Recent Examples of Synonyms for work

Verb

The first would be to talk with a licensed mental health professional and ask if that person can give you some insight into whether postpartum has caused your wife’s behavior.

— Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Homeland is currently only partially funded, causing long airport backups and other inconveniences.

— Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

Definition of cause

Cite this Entry

Style

“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 24 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

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