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
-
The dog ignored him, and licked the boy’s face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Afterward, Smith didn’t hide his frustration.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And Elijah Wood provides a cheeky, bemused-insider vibe as the Danforths’ lawyer, who’s overseeing the technicalities and generally hiding behind a lectern when contestants start exploding.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
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Surprise, surprise, the drums started pounding for the SOB Act shortly after (though various legislative attempts have floated since Proposition 12 was passed) backed by a Midwestern congresswoman from a Big Pork state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her makeup, on the other hand, is entirely modern with a lightly smoky eye, nude-pink lips, and the wispiest, fluttery lashes imaginable.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Israel’s allies have also faced the wrath of an Iranian regime lashing out at nearly every country in the region.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 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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The mobile margarita bar in an an old VW van was an Instagram hit - and served a pretty perfect cocktail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Big 12 player of the year hit the game-winner from the right side — while also falling to his right with the Cyclones’ Killyan Toure closely guarding.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 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 17 Mar. 2026.
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