Synonyms of works

works 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of work

1

as in causes

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

this new drug can really work wonders

Synonyms & Similar Words

• causes
• creates
• brings
• does
• generates
• prompts
• produces
• spawns
• yields
• invokes
• makes
• effects
• induces
• draws on
• brings about
• occasions
• translates (into)
• catalyzes
• brings on
• gives rise to
• brings forth
• begets
• results (in)
• engenders
• breeds
• effectuates
• encourages
• promotes
• introduces
• contributes (to)
• founds
• develops
• determines
• begins
• initiates
• launches
• establishes
• decides
• institutes
• starts
• fathers
• inaugurates
• sets up
• renders
• conduces (to)
• fosters
• cultivates
• enacts
• furthers
• turns out
• sets
• innovates
• nourishes
• advances
• pioneers
• nurtures
• forwards

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• limits
• restricts
• impedes
• controls
• suppresses
• checks
• inhibits
• represses
• reins (in)
• squashes
• crushes
• puts down
• arrests
• subdues
• dampens
• curbs
• smothers
• stifles
• restrains
• retards
• kills
• destroys
• cans
• stills
• quells
• squelches
• cracks down (on)
• clamps down (on)
• abolishes
• quashes
• extinguishes
• liquidates
• demolishes
• quenches
• snuffs (out)

2

as in solves

to find an answer for through reasoning

finally figured out how to work the math problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• solves
• unravels
• answers
• resolves
• works out
• figures out
• riddles (out)
• puzzles (out)
• cracks
• concludes
• deciphers
• decides
• breaks
• unriddles
• gathers
• judges
• reasons
• infers
• deduces
• dopes (out)
• assumes
• presumes
• speculates
• straightens (out)
• guesses
• clears (up)
• unties
• irons out
• divines
• conjectures
• unscrambles
• decodes
• untangles

3

as in serves

to have a certain purpose

the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• serves
• acts
• functions
• performs
• operates
• runs
• guides
• manages
• controls
• handles
• regulates
• directs
• administers
• supervises
• oversees
• carries on

4

as in operates

to produce a desired effect

this headache remedy takes half an hour to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operates
• performs
• takes
• acts
• reacts
• responds
• results
• takes effect
• behaves
• affects
• takes hold
• influences
• sways
• redounds
• pans out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• backfires
• fizzles

5

as in moves

to set or keep in motion

this pump is worked by hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moves
• drives
• activates
• propels
• actuates
• stimulates
• impels
• triggers
• motivates
• provokes
• raises
• sets off
• ferments
• trips
• inspires
• incites
• stirs (up)
• whips (up)
• excites
• abets
• arouses
• fires (up)
• foments
• rouses
• galvanizes
• instigates
• inflames

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• contains
• controls
• regulates
• checks
• inhibits
• reins (in)
• constrains
• curbs
• restrains
• bridles

6

as in uses

to control the mechanical operation of

show me how to work the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operates
• uses
• handles
• runs
• drives
• manipulates
• maneuvers
• controls
• wields
• guides
• directs
• steers
• pilots
• plies
• commands

7

as in struggles

to devote serious and sustained effort

the organization has worked for years to raise people's awareness of human rights issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• struggles
• strives
• labors
• endeavors
• tries
• tugs
• slaves
• plows
• toils
• hustles
• digs (away)
• sweats
• pegs (away)
• plugs
• humps
• travails
• bangs away
• plods
• grubs
• sweats blood
• fags
• strains
• slogs
• drudges
• moils
• applies (oneself)
• exercises
• beavers (away)
• buckles (down)
• drives
• attacks
• exerts
• knuckles down
• hammers (away)
• pitches in
• essays
• digs in
• grinds (out)
• ekes out
• overworks
• scratches
• overexerts
• wades
• puts out
• trudges
• scrabbles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breaks
• slackens
• eases (up)
• lets up
• hangs (around or out)
• slacks (off)
• rests
• idles
• plays
• shirks
• goofs (off)
• goldbricks
• loafs
• bums
• lounges
• lazes
• dallies
• chills
• reposes
• dillydallies
• hacks (around)
• unwinds
• relaxes
• hangs
• basks
• lolls
• dabbles
• footles
• fribbles
• fools around
• vegges out
• hangs about
• messes around
• doodles
• goofs (around)
• trifles
• putters (around)
• potters (around)
• monkeys (around)

8

as in exploits

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

• uses
• exploits
• leverages
• abuses
• plays (on or upon)
• manipulates
• imposes (on or upon)
• walks on
• capitalizes (on)
• milks
• trades on
• cashes in (on)
• pimps
• mistreats
• cheats
• commodifies
• jerks around
• sticks
• overcharges
• commercializes
• soaks
• bleeds
• skins
• fleeces

works

2 of 2

noun

plural of work

as in factory

a building or set of buildings for the manufacturing of goods

a glass works where high quality glassware is made

Synonyms & Similar Words

• factory
• mill
• plant
• shop
• workshop
• manufactory
• studio
• workplace
• sweatshop
• atelier
• workroom
• yard

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of works

Verb

Except that’s how the entertainment business works these days, and those deals did pay them millions (the Netflix production deal was reported to be in the $100-million range). — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Communications, however, is one of the few functions that regularly works across every part of the business. — Caroline Johns, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Evaporated milk works well as a substitute for heavy cream in sauces or soups calling for whole milk. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026

People forget that the army works for the government and does not do anything on its own. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Prashanth [Venkataramanujam] who works with Hasan Minhaj, who’s a buddy, was in there. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Aug. 2026

Understanding why requires a closer look at what tungsten actually does and how the supply chain behind it actually works. — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

The spa is intimate rather than sprawling, but the combination of treatments, nail bar, gym, and quiet pool deck works well for a restorative stay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026

Nina Smith, a former Buttigieg adviser who now works closely with progressive causes, disagreed. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Such Chinese characters were inscribed or stamped on most of the hundreds of thousands of works made during the Chinese monarch’s rule in the 18th century. — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has announced a raft of new acquisitions, including works by artists entering the collection for the first time. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026

The National Gallery of Art, whose sculpture garden is along the course, has boarded up some of its outdoor works. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Organizers say the event, now in its 43rd year, will feature works by some 250 artists from throughout the West Coast, touching on sculpture, glassworks, wood, ceramics and much more. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

White works for the state as an in-home caretaker for elderly and disabled clients. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

But the city of Smyrna is trying to change that, turning some of those refrigerator-sized metal cabinets into colorful works of public art. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

And lastly, how, despite Newey’s backhanded public comments toward Aston’s new works partner, everyone at Honda simply dusted themselves off and began working on a solution. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026

Past editions have showcased early works from directors including Chloé Zhao, Wei Shujun and Liu Jian, among many others. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026