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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Legend has it that when Buddha was painting the sky, blue pigment dripped onto the floor and his inquisitive chow chow licked the puddle, coloring the dog’s tongue permanently.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Son disappeared from public view, licking his wounds while also plotting his comeback.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This beloved Italian restaurant is hiding in a Homewood neighborhood.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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Abdul Hadi spent his days hiding in hovels in distant parts of Syria, turning his mind obsessively over the old days of revolution, over fleeting encounters and terrible choices.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Do not attempt to pound down or over-compact the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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During a quick break, class member Sophie Doe told CBS News her heart was pounding.—
Tina Kraus,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Crockett seemed to see enemies everywhere, and closed her campaign lashing out at certain political consultants and reporters.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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The more aggressive, the more willing to lash back.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In response to a market-moving piece of dystopian fan fiction fearmongering about AI, Citadel Securities put out its own brief on the historical precedent for AI’s impact and the improbability that the technology will render humans unemployable any more than the typewriter or the internet did.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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More than 20 states currently have agreements with the agency permitting them to do so; Landry, the Louisiana Secretary of State, highlighted that SAVE had been used in her state’s ongoing investigation.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the bottom of the inning, Temo Becerra, a senior, hit just his fourth collegiate homer with a shot into the Crawford Boxes in left field.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
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The heated rivalry between the Pentagon and Anthropic just hit a new horizon Friday.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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The 24-year-old Sasaki threw a smooth 16 pitches, punching out the right-handed hitting Zavala, and inducing a pair of groundballs to shortstop from the lefty Kim.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Necas added his seventh power-play goal of the season 2 1/2 minutes later, beating his Czech Olympic teammate with a high shot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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In the last ten years, Berkshire shares have gained 250%, also beating the S & P 500.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20over. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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