Synonyms of work
1
as in to cause
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this new drug can really work wonders
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Relevance
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2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
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3
4
5
as in to drive
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
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6
7
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
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8
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
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1
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production
unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print
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2
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
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3
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
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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
put a lot of work into the project
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5
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
what line of work are you in?
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of work
Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
To walk in the tunnel and wear a really cute outfit before going to work on the court is the best of both worlds for me.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 8 Aug. 2025
Variety Staff, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
At the same time, AI aims to make work more efficient—which is exactly what students are using it for.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
Before his arrest, Soliman worked as an imam in Cincinnati and as a chaplain at Cincinnati Children's hospital.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
To walk in the tunnel and wear a really cute outfit before going to work on the court is the best of both worlds for me.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
Like similar lists for directors, screenwriters, producers and animators, Actors to Watch looks at recent, current and upcoming work from rising actors.
—Variety Staff, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
At the same time, AI aims to make work more efficient—which is exactly what students are using it for.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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But the move has caused Niger, the country in West Africa where the space rock was initially found, to question the legality of its export.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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Severe storms and flooding in Muskego, Wisconsin, caused road closures, sewage issues, and damage to homes and businesses.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The sport challenges participants’ ability to problem solve and navigate outdoor challenges, all against the clock.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Fons said there's currently a polarization in education because of the growing disbelief that a public sector can solve issues together, like health and schooling crises.—
Mia Thurow,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The gaming landscape serves as a dynamic social ecosystem where players engage through voice, text and even gestures within immersive virtual environments.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Julie Holt Julie Holt serves as the chief nursing officer and vice president at The Christ Hospital, a regional care system comprised of The Christ Hospital and more than 100 outpatient and physician locations in the Greater Cincinnati area.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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While performing in Elmont, NY on Sept. 9 of that year, Tyler fractured his larynx, necessitating the postponement of shows on their Peace Out tour.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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CTOs now sit at the strategic heart of organizations, driving revenue growth, operational efficiency and competitive advantage.—
Mary Elizabeth Bradford,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Some round-trip flights to San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Denver are priced lower than the cost of driving to get there.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As of May 2025, Ulta Beauty operates 1,451 stores across all 50 states.—
Sara Chernikoff,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
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When a business model depends on a particular legal framework, and that framework gets sent back to the drawing board, companies operate in uncertainty until something new emerges.—
AJ Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The state’s newest theory is that Zeigler wore a raincoat while shooting his wife and mother-in-law (who was shot with two different guns) and struggling with his father-in-law — despite the customer having the father-in-law’s blood soaked into his pants.—
Gail Hollenbeck,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
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Serafin pitches Qualtrics as using technology to solve a problem technology created, saying companies now struggle to piece together a coherent picture of their customers across their call centers, apps, websites, text messages, and social media accounts.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Over the years, investigators pursued multiple leads without success, releasing a composite sketch of the suspect and using genetic genealogy and familial DNA testing in search of a match.—
Stephanie Murray,
AZCentral.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Photos used in this column were made possible by the Barry Bingham Jr. Photograph Collection, which is maintained by University of Louisville Archives & Special Collections staff.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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