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
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Recent Examples of work
Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
He is noted for exceptional design work on notable homes in the area.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
His mother worked as a doctor in China, and juggled three jobs in the U.S. for over a decade, saving up enough to eventually open a medical clinic.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
On top of these funding woes, Beckman said the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants, and shifting attitudes towards foreigners in the US, has also pushed her to look for work elsewhere.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
He is noted for exceptional design work on notable homes in the area.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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Rodriguez has been charged by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the district attorney's office said.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Over the multi-day event, tornadoes touched down in Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia, and Oklahoma and caused over 20 fatalities.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Verb
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With an intention to welcome 1 million foreign workers over the next three years, the plan to solve Spain's overtourism issues has never been more prescient.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Eventually the problem of making safe, fuel-efficient, consumer-friendly automobiles was more or less solved.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
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This requirement effectively limits poll worker eligibility to U.S. citizens and excludes most noncitizens, with a few exceptions, such as high school students serving as student poll workers under supervision.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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This has forced the library system to pay a contractor $1,500 per month to power-wash the area outside the branch twice a week during the morning hours after previously relying on in-house personnel to perform the task.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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What companies will actually perform the work to mine the seafloor?—
Victor Vescovo,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The franchise has driven over half a billion hours of streams, with the original accounting for more than 280 hours.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 May 2025
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Derek Jeter gets his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth player in Yankees history to reach the milestone. 2008 — Chase Utley tied the National League lead with his 16th homer and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed Colorado 20-5.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Wayne Ford,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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In recent years, charter schools have proven popular with parents both in major cities and in rural areas, and their numbers would surely have grown if churches or religious groups were free to operate these schools.—
David G. Savage,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Experts predict an increase in space tourism over the coming decades, potentially accelerating global warming in a world already struggling to combat its effects.—
Sheetal Khedkar Rao,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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Rob Crossan January 17, 2025 Marketed as a luxury tourist destination, the Maldives struggles with the legacy of an authoritarian government and the existential threat of climate change.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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Administration officials initially weighed using Section 122 to impose higher tariffs but decided not to, due to the 150-day limit.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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