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

Choose the size that works best for your home, all available in two-packs. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

For a series built around the unsettling idea of collective perfection, Pluribus works because each department thrived in the chaos of creation. — Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Ortiz is known for resort wear that works by the pool or at dinner, and this partnership shows off that relaxed style. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Its 33-foot wireless range ensures uninterrupted control from anywhere in the room, while its plug-and-play USB receiver works instantly with Windows, Android, and ChromeOS. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026

Connor, meanwhile, reportedly works as a DJ and is based in Florida. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026

Credit as well to the staff members, who are honest about whether that shirt works for you or is best left on the rack. — New York Times, 31 July 2026

With an ergonomic design for upper and lower back issues, this support pillow works well in both the office and your car. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Soap and Water A simple mixture of soap and water also works for cleaning laminate, says Rapinchuk. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

Noun

New York — Artificial intelligence is a game-changing technology that’s already transforming how the world lives and works. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

The institution’s collection houses six monumental works by Mora (1866–1936), an innovative artist who has grown to the status of regional hero. — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026

About 1908 Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg abandoned traditional tonality altogether, becoming one of the first composers to write consistently atonal works. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Like Hull, Pandey added that the public needs exposure on how a hedge on a prediction market works. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Take those rules, bend them a little bit and see if an alternative [pairing] works. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

In 2023, customs officials fined the Blaquier family over the export of about a dozen paintings to Luxembourg, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Gauguin and Cézanne. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

In 2016, 17 works across seven countries were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of the architect’s impact on global architecture in the 20th century. — Stefanie Waldek, Architectural Digest, 12 Aug. 2026

How tonight's Powerball drawing works Powerball has nine different prize levels, including the jackpot. — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026