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
Then there was a period of time where no one wanted to work with him anymore, the Austrian casting directors, because of his reputation. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026 Pérez worked with the organization to introduce SB 1103, a bill that has since undergone months of negotiation in the Capitol. Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
Many health workers have gone on strike to protest lack of payment for their work since the outbreak was declared. ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 That said, in an annual cycle, there's only so much that can get heavy work. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
  • More than 50 hectares (124 acres) of peatland have burned in Jambi province on Sumatra island, causing choking haze in some areas and raising concerns about worsening air quality.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Everyday Seismic Noise Although earthquakes are the most familiar source of seismic activity, scientists regularly detect vibrations caused by people.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The team—engineers, policymakers, and operators—solves for that specific limit, and the boundary moves.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The goal is to solve the nation’s nuclear waste disposal problems just in time to power the construction gold rush of AI data centers with a renaissance of next-generation nuclear energy.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The area is considered strategically significant for its proximity to the Taipei port and beaches in Taiwan that could serve as a valuable staging area for the Chinese military.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Yet, these innovative platforms face limitations, such as serving crypto companies, due to their reliance on partner banks and conservative regulatory interpretations.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This compilation, led by contributing editor Ardian Wibisono and contributor Yessar Rosendar, shines a light on top-performing companies with sales above $10 million and below $1 billion.
    Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In a statement released Thursday evening, Live Nation said Earth, Wind & Fire was unable to perform as scheduled because of the medical emergency.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The project, which is expected to take two years, has brought construction noise, dust and the loss of nearby parking spaces, all of which merchants say have driven customers away.
    Maddie White, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This heat drives the park’s geysers and hot springs while producing frequent earthquakes and gradual changes in the ground.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Firestar operated a large factory inside Surat’s Special Economic Zone, a duty-free enclave that allowed the company to cut, polish and manufacture jewelry for export markets.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Oznur Bell One of the journey’s guides, who was operating the vessel, spotted the hippo and slowed the boat in an attempt not to disturb it, Oznur said.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In this edition of the AJC On Campus Roundup, the number of Georgians struggling to pay them back has skyrocketed.
    Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Some have done so successfully, others have struggled to reach such heights.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Hundreds of people with stereo systems, disco balls, tents, kegs and mattresses left huge amounts of trash, set off fireworks and used Tunitas Creek Beach as a bathroom during all-night events.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Carrick using Mbeumo as a centre-forward is not new — but the way United’s forward line is gelling around him is.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Cite this Entry

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

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