as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
the mob boss's thugs really worked him over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work over
In this 1990 film, wealthy businessman Edward (Richard Gere) has risen to success by prioritizing work over play—and over partners.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
Both players progressed through rehab and on-court work over the past several days and are now expected to be available.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Even former President Barack Obama has conceded that the path to success will require you to sometimes prioritize work over life.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
And their hard work over the years has shown, man, it’s shown.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
Both players progressed through rehab and on-court work over the past several days and are now expected to be available.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Even former President Barack Obama has conceded that the path to success will require you to sometimes prioritize work over life.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
And their hard work over the years has shown, man, it’s shown.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work over
Verb
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The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
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The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the past year, assaults against ICE personnel have risen 8,000%, according to the DHS, and federal police have opted to hide their faces and identities while working in public.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
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An East Price Hill man is accused of hiding in wait before fatally shooting a woman at an Avondale apartment building, according to Cincinnati police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Glass removed violins from the orchestra to achieve a dark, primordial orchestral sound along with pounding percussion.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the past 24 hours, Israel conducted more strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut and continues to pound Tehran.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And yet, Trump has also managed to avoid complex questions about those issues — the most pressing before his administration — and despite Democrats and some of his own supporters lashing out over them.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Noem and her chief adviser Corey Lewandowski -- who is reportedly also departing DHS -- both had a knack for lashing out, yelling and berating staff that crossed them, according to sources.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So, this administration is doing it all backwards.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Experiencing that life cycle of knowing where my food comes from and watching my uncles do the butchering and then eating it the same day through slow roasting was really impactful for me as a kid.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In seeing their six-game winning streak halted just before hitting the friendly skies for a four-game road trip that tips off in Phoenix on Sunday, the Hornets (32-32) were victimized by Miami in the fourth quarter.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Byron Buxton was hit by a pitch in the fifth to push the Americans’ lead to 4-1.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After walking DeJong to start his outing, Tolle got a strikeout, DeJong was thrown out trying to steal second, and then Tolle got another punch out to end the inning.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
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In the fourth inning of the Giants’ 13-12 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon, Milwaukee’s Garrett Stallings tried to punch out Bader with a 1-2 slider.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Two men were beaten outside a Santana Row restaurant on Sunday afternoon in an incident that is being investigated as a potential antisemitic hate crime, San Jose authorities said Tuesday.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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If Mexico beats Italy, the three teams will be knotted at 3-1 and the winners will be determined by a tiebreaker, with the team that allowed the most runs eliminated.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20over. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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