as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
the mob boss's thugs really worked him over
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work over
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
Crews are expected to work over the coming weeks to clear the wreckage and make way for the construction of a permanent memorial to the victims, a project slated to be completed in September 2027.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Fields might get the bulk of the starter’s work over the summer as Mahomes works his way back from knee surgery, but the best-case scenario leaves him on the bench for the regular season.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
According to a New York Times report, the 65-year-old actor prioritizied a trip to Ukraine for activist work over accepting his Academy Award (a representative for the actor declined Entertainment Weekly's request for comment).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Crews are expected to work over the coming weeks to clear the wreckage and make way for the construction of a permanent memorial to the victims, a project slated to be completed in September 2027.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Fields might get the bulk of the starter’s work over the summer as Mahomes works his way back from knee surgery, but the best-case scenario leaves him on the bench for the regular season.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
According to a New York Times report, the 65-year-old actor prioritizied a trip to Ukraine for activist work over accepting his Academy Award (a representative for the actor declined Entertainment Weekly's request for comment).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work over
Verb
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Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
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The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The photograph feels funereal but rich, somehow—evocative of the days when Edith Wharton’s troubled characters tried to hide from others’ eyes, while the carriage horses clopped along, each step as heavy as destiny.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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Listen fully, because useful details hide in ordinary words.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The school had also employed about two dozen teachers and administrative staff, many of whom were young graduates in their 20s now without an income – at a time when their nation’s already struggling economy has been further pounded by war.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One side of the brush features short, dense bristles that deposit rich black color and build volume, while the longer bristles on the other side help guide lashes upward.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
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Toward the end of the final episode of Love Story, Constance Zimmer’s Ann Messina Freeman lashes out at Caroline Kennedy over her daughters’ deaths.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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If a friend volunteers input, accept their assistance with gratitude rather than doing everything alone for the best results.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Five pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just hits for Andrew (4-3).—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Among them was Linda Parker, the president and CEO of Women In Distress of Broward County, who said Metayer’s death hit close to home.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the bottom of the eighth, former Giant Camilo Doval struck out the side, punching out Ramos, Casey Schmitt and Patrick Bailey — all swinging.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The track’s intro consists of bass triplets and deeper sub-bass quarter notes that the Air Pro 4+ punch out with ease.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Suns then tied the game at 94-94 after Jordan Goodwin beat the buzzer with a corner triple to end the period.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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Keller stymies defending champ Coppell Claire Garritson scored the game-winning goal in the second half and Keller hung on to beat defending state champion Coppell 2-1 in the Class 6A Division 1 Region 1 Final on Tuesday night at Keller High School.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20over. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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