as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
the mob boss's thugs really worked him over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 over
Brooks has won three Academy Awards and 21 Emmys for his work over the years.
—
Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The crew members will also rearrange parts of the capsule's interior to give themselves more room to live and work over the next 10 days.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
The team announced that Al Horford will also be re-evaluated next week and has begun light on-court work over the past few days.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
In total, more than 9% of TSA employees have been absent from work over the past seven days, leading to long lines for passengers trying to reach their gates, DHS added.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Michael Schneider, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
The crew members will also rearrange parts of the capsule's interior to give themselves more room to live and work over the next 10 days.
—Charlie Gile, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
The team announced that Al Horford will also be re-evaluated next week and has begun light on-court work over the past few days.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
In total, more than 9% of TSA employees have been absent from work over the past seven days, leading to long lines for passengers trying to reach their gates, DHS added.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work over
Verb
-
Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Children who give short answers, avoid eye contact, or seem overly eager to please may be hiding their true feelings.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2026
-
New York packs tons of it, and Mike Brown had no intention of hiding his hand against a potential playoff opponent.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The day the truce was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Eyes wide and heart pounding, Jason watched as the clock ticked away, as the Kansas City Chiefs racked up points against his Baltimore Ravens, and as the odds, and score, tipped insurmountably in their favor.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The brand’s hero reusable Plushy lashes retail for $25 a pair, while the brand’s Control Kits, which include application tools, retail for about $125.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Trump had lashed out at the pontiff in a Truth Social post on Sunday night and repeated those criticisms Monday.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the injury report didn’t say it, the first half did.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Odell Hager arrived as a client at ARC in 2015, after a judge ordered him to do so for carrying drugs.—
Alex Acquisto,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is expected to hit theaters on May 1.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But Edwards hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later to push the lead to 135-128 and send the home fans streaming toward the exits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Azaelea, the iconic 13th hole, McIlroy was again way offline, punching out from the pine straw and hitting a security rope on the ground.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Alyssa Szathmary punched out seven and allowed five hits over seven innings, while Bella DeAngelis recorded two hits as Billerica topped North Andover, 2-0.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The third ended with the Hornets’ Coby White beating the buzzer for an 89-83 Charlotte lead entering the fourth.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Xander Bogaerts had three hits and three RBIs, and Mason Miller pitched a perfect ninth inning for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20over. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
