variants
or wrought
1
as in created
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this new drug can really work wonders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solved
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in served
to have a certain purpose
the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in moved
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of
show me how to work the machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
the organization has worked for years to raise people's awareness of human rights issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in used
to take unfair advantage of
a young boy who worked his aunt for all she was worth in toys and candy when she visited once a year
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 worked
But in that scale-over-everything moment, a lot of things that worked pretty well got tossed aside as outdated thinking.
—
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Dennis worked as a security officer in Qatar when recruiters approached him with what appeared to be a better offer.
—Emmanuel Igunza, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
According to the sheriff's office, Alissandratos, Henry and Chu worked for Blackbird Mountain Guides.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
For four years, Scott worked as a reporter for KSHB, from 2020 to 2024.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Dennis worked as a security officer in Qatar when recruiters approached him with what appeared to be a better offer.
—Emmanuel Igunza, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
According to the sheriff's office, Alissandratos, Henry and Chu worked for Blackbird Mountain Guides.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
For four years, Scott worked as a reporter for KSHB, from 2020 to 2024.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked
Verb
-
It's just been created with an obsession for making things as beautifully as possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The New York Yankees are dealing with a stinky spring training situation after a sewage leak penetrated their clubhouse and outer hallway, and created pools of fetid water around George Steinbrenner Stadium.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 35 years later, family and authorities are opening up about the impact of the notorious 1991 cold case after it was finally solved.—
Claire Lempert,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Learning to thrive in a changing world Fringe-lipped bats have solved the small-predator dilemma by hunting large prey – such as frogs, lizards, birds or rodents – with remarkably little effort.—
Leonie Baier,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alternatively, paddle or trek to Yau Ley Seafood Restaurant on Sai Kung, where the catch of the day is served with a side of authentic and family-friendly Hong Kong charm.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Northwood’s culinary students were always churning out great food — lasagna, chicken cordon bleu, and Cornish hens served in warm nests of baked bread — and no one wanted to miss the meals.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Arena is Princess’ newest incarnation of the typical cruise ship theater space, where up to 900 passengers can watch the twice-nightly show performed on a revolving stage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
For instance, O’Leary, Okonma, and Iyer are used to being on camera, albeit as themselves; Grimstad, as a professor, is a longtime public speaker; Caton has often performed his music onstage and on TV.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the win at Everton moved the team up into the top four, victory in United’s final match of February last season only moved them up to 14th in the Premier League table.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Fellow passengers were moved and amazed to witness a former president stuck in typical airport delays alongside them.—
Meg Kinnard,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For nine months, the device operated in the harsh radiation environment of space.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, Budig has labored tirelessly to stoke enthusiasm for Summers’ book among her Inky Phoenix community members.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
When the novel opens in Florence, in 1557, the body of the painter Jacopo da Pontormo lies in the chapel of San Lorenzo—in front of the frescoes he’d labored over for a decade, with a painter’s chisel stuck in his heart.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The official told Semafor that other frontier AI companies are close to an agreement allowing them to be used in classified settings.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Diesel is the fuel used by the trucks owned or hired by private companies in Cuba to transport food and other supplies from the Port of Mariel in Havana to their warehouses, and then to other private businesses, such as restaurants and small grocery stores around the country.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
