work 1 of 3

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as in to serve
to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

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as in to perform
to produce a desired effect this headache remedy takes half an hour to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to operate
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

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work

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noun

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as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print

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as in factory
works plural a building or set of buildings for the manufacturing of goods a glass works where high quality glassware is made

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work (for)

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verb (2)

as in to slave (for)
to be a servant for worked for a rich and powerful family

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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
Verb
Ward has to play faster in the pocket and continue to work on ball placement. Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 30 July 2025 Check out any over-50 star still working — nearly all have full, Samson-like manes to match their career stamina. Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Noun
Though Millsap suddenly found herself out of work, there is little legal recourse for her or the rest of the employees at Okra. Evan Moore july 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2025 Thankfully, for me, the years of hard work all paid off. Salman Chowdhury, CNBC, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Noun
  • Patterned pencil cases, colorful folders and pencil-top erasers, and composition notebooks and planners that students can decorate themselves with drawings or stickers, can all signify your child’s personality and style.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 July 2025
  • Its discotheque-ready adult contemporary vibes are the result of composition work by award-winning songwriter Jesse Frasure and musician Jenee Fleenor.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 27 July 2025
Noun
  • The state's rainy day fund, which comes from a portion of the state's tax on oil production, is expected to top $28 billion, which would be a record.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • No, there are no bread production facilities in Indiana.
    Hannah Hudnall, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Data showed across seven Valley cities that there were 158 full-time employees with a park ranger job title.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Great companies create cultures where ideas matter more than job titles.
    JJ Rosen, The Tennessean, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Gunther nearly knocked Punk out of the ring with a massive chop but pulled him back in the ring in an effort to enact more punishment.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Snyder has since emerged a central figure in efforts to help Power 4 schools include international athletes in the revenue-sharing plans outlined in the House v. NCAA settlement.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Health care has evolved from a profession into big business.
    Robert D. Greenberg, Baltimore Sun, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Johnson sees a reckoning ahead and is worried about teachers leaving the profession.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • To produce its weapons, Anduril is planning to open a sprawling factory near Columbus, Ohio.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • That's because the automakers are paying for tariffs and passing it on to dealers, who now pay more to buy cars from the factory.
    Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Mazzoli created a lush score that was alternately sweeping or intimate, sensuous or mystical, yet with a distinctive sound that was her own weaving a thread through the piece.
    Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati.com, 19 July 2017
  • This is why the war stories of Tom Clancy are such convincing and moving pieces of fiction.
    Janine Barchas, Washington Post, 18 July 2017
Noun
  • New York selected the Ohio State product with the No. 10 overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2025
  • Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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