Definition of worknext
1
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

5
6
as in to operate
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
8

work

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
6
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
Brito retired the Diamondbacks in order in the seventh before Bradgley Rodriguez worked a 1-2-3 eighth and Mason Miller did the same in the ninth for his National League-leading 23rd save. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026 Tolbert has worked his way to the big leagues through skill and effort. Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Noun
Volunteer work, fitness activities, community involvement, and cultural events all play a role in how many mature adults approach new relationships. Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 For years, uncertainty about my work was connected to uncertainty about myself. Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
  • The powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • In May, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared outbreaks after lab tests detected the spread of Bundibugyo virus, which causes a type of Ebola disease.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
    Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Digital maintenance workflow DroneIQ also serves as the central hub for inspection results.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • After hearing from Californians, Hilton noted, CPUC had concluded that AT&T had not shown there were reliable replacements that could serve as a safety net for some communities.
    Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Mobile dog grooming is a professional grooming service performed inside a specially outfitted van that travels to the client’s location.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Bad Bunny seamlessly moved from the stage to the couture scene, performing on Sunday night at Plenitude Arena in Paris, before turning heads the next morning at Schiaparelli’s show at the Petit Palais in a butter yellow suit.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Feedback will help guide future improvements for people who walk, bike, use transit and drive through the corridor.
    Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • When her husband, financier John Molner, returned home from the gym, the two drove to the campus of the Aspen Institute, where Couric was excited to hit the hot dog stand for lunch.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • But if Texas doesn’t allow sports betting, how can these markets operate in the state?
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
  • Marine engines operate under sustained high RPM and are exposed to moisture, which requires additional protection against wear and corrosion.
    John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • Acuff got off to a much better start after struggling to make shots in his summer league debut on Saturday.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • When the Wright brothers first flew, the doubt was never about whether the machine worked, but whether flight would ever be something ordinary people used without a second thought.
    Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • In the Tahoe Basin, the Caldor fire restoration plan outlines roughly 3,600 acres where the Forest Service could use ground crews to apply herbicide directly to shrubs — no aerial spraying.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Cite this Entry

“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on work

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!