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
The Army Corps worked with state governments and Congress to develop the project.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Currently coaching Duke’s wings, Dildy worked with Charlotte Hornets’ rookie Kon Knueppel last season, and is guiding NBA Lottery pick-hopeful Isiah Evans this season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026
The system worked great, excepting the start.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
De Jesus worked around a one-out single and walk with a pair of strikeouts to strand two runners in the fourth.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Currently coaching Duke’s wings, Dildy worked with Charlotte Hornets’ rookie Kon Knueppel last season, and is guiding NBA Lottery pick-hopeful Isiah Evans this season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026
The system worked great, excepting the start.
—Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
De Jesus worked around a one-out single and walk with a pair of strikeouts to strand two runners in the fourth.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked
Verb
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The bronze bison were created by paleoartist Gary Staab at the Art Casting Foundry in Loveland and made their first stop on their road trip at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on March 11.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Locke, 29, finally healthy after dealing with back issues for several years, solved by surgery in 2024, has played in 90 career games.—
Calvin Watkins
Mar. 19,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The actual porch theft was never solved, Chrisanna said.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The attack on the Michigan synagogue took place on the same day as a former Army National Guard member who served years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State group opened fire on a classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing one person and wounding two others.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But that skepticism served as fuel for some Horned Frogs like leading scorer David Punch.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the autopsy was not performed until three days later, and even the country’s top pathologist could not say where the president’s body had been kept during that time.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Its Best Picture rival performed well but reached a smaller audience, and that disparity can work against a film late in awards season.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Extreme thoughtfulness went into the property built on the site of a former prominent elementary school, with some of its sakura (cherry blossom) and Japanese maple trees now waving in the breeze after being carefully moved pre-construction and replanted upon completion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Horne, 68, moved into a brand new house in the Willow Bend area less than a year ago.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The uncertainty is not ideal, but this is the way MLB has operated in the past.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The indoor soccer, taekwondo and yoga facilities will each be operated by separate businesses at the facility.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Irish workers also labored in rail yards and mines in the area.—
Paula Kane,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
-
My fascination extended to gardeners, who voluntarily labored to create something with no hope of permanence.—
Amy Waldman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ballistics testing conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation later confirmed that the gun Harrison had when he was arrested was the same modified firearm used in the killing, prosecutors said.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
His death was one of more than 1,000 nationally that an investigation led by The Associated Press identified as happening after police officers used physical force or weapons that were supposed to stop, but not kill, people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
