as in licked
to strike repeatedly
the mob boss's thugs really worked him over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of worked over
Graves said the police department worked over the summer, reprogramming the light bars to show a steady blue light.
—
Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025
And Welch would know; the seasoned consultant, business columnist, and news contributor has witnessed what has worked over the past four decades.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Bradley worked over a pair of walks in the first inning, getting out unscathed.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
White worked over the paragraph a third time, and telegraphed it to the magazine.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Sikoa worked over Zayn, even slamming him with the Spinning Solo for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025
And Welch would know; the seasoned consultant, business columnist, and news contributor has witnessed what has worked over the past four decades.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Bradley worked over a pair of walks in the first inning, getting out unscathed.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 31 Aug. 2025
White worked over the paragraph a third time, and telegraphed it to the magazine.
—Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Sikoa worked over Zayn, even slamming him with the Spinning Solo for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked over
Verb
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Show Viz Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest had counter-attacking licked.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
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The afternoon sun licked the windscreen of the car, and the heat boiled my skin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Palestinians flee new offensive Mirna Alsharif Thousands of Palestinians fled northern Gaza with their belongings as Israel forces pounded the enclave's largest city.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 Sep. 2025
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Coen repeatedly pounded his chest, seemingly signaling that Lawrence needed to hit his receivers lower.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At least 12 people died as heavy rain lashed the eastern Indian city of Kolkata and surrounding areas ahead of a major festival, flooding streets, disrupting transport and leaving residents stranded for hours, officials said Wednesday.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
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Videos posted to social media from residents in Taiwan showed huge swells, rough seas and strong winds as Ragasa’s outer bands lashed the island.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Folding whipped topping gently into the pudding mixture keeps the filling fluffy and mousse-like.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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Let’s look at one of his near-misses on Sunday, when the Panthers played a remarkably good game and whipped Atlanta, 30-0, in their home opener.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
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The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If Nix had set his feet while hitting on just one of three more wide-open heaves against the Bolts, the Broncos are 2-1 — and the AFC West is thrown into beautiful chaos.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 Sep. 2025
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Barnes turned up the heat on Archbishop Williams (4-3) as well with her powerful outside hitting.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To add insult to injury, Springer was punched out by home-plate umpire Doug Eddings on the next pitch, a slider that was a good three inches outside.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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The late, great Red Sox legend Luis Tiant also punched out 11 in his MLB debut, but with Cleveland on July 19, 1964; his performance was exactly four years after Hall of Famer Juan Marichal racked up 12 in his first career game on July 19, 1960.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yoshida’s leadoff single and Rafaela’s 33rd double finally knocked Mize out of the game in the seventh.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Losing Marcus has knocked her off the wagon.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worked over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20over. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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