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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
as in moves
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 works
Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The six-minute quasi-title track works as a centerpiece, its compressed qanun (a stringed Middle Eastern instrument, played here by the acclaimed Syrian musician Maya Youssef) looping in the background as electronic pulses, foreboding pianos, and disembodied voices swirl around the mix.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Cooked amaranth has a slightly earthy, porridge-like texture that works well as a breakfast bowl with fruit and honey, as a rice substitute under curries and stews, or as a stuffing for roasted squash.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
The oven component is frequently placed underneath and works with the toasting component up top to evenly heat the interior for your baking needs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
The rich finish and tailored detailing give it an understated sophistication that works especially well in offices, laundry rooms, and dressing rooms.
—Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026
Islam said Nightlight also works collaboratively with other state non-profits such as Harm Reduction Inc.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Stiller works the camera courtside.
—Chelsea Stahl, NBC news, 9 June 2026
If that's what the market says Hamilton is worth as a driver and spokesman, great, that's how capitalism works.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Gutierrez said the jury would not privilege any particular documentary form, but would prioritize works that communicate genuine emotion and connect with viewers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 June 2026
Norwegian Epic’s real test is whether life onboard works.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
To scale our recipe accordingly, pour in 3 3/4 ounces each of light rum, vodka, tequila, whiskey, and gin, along with 2 1/2 ounces sorghum or cane syrup (simple syrup works too), 2 ounces lime juice, and 2 ounces lemon juice.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
If images today have a way of eating up time, keeping our fingers scrolling, Hockney’s works might be said to give it back.
—Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
The Best Food Combinations for Nutrient Absorption Not every pairing works against you.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Partners have received works by Hans Memling, Rembrandt, van Dyck, Matisse, Cézanne, Degas, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alma Thomas, Mark Rothko, and so on.
—Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026
Other works rely more heavily on easy sentiment.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Verb
That’s not how the numbering system works.
—Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
The six-minute quasi-title track works as a centerpiece, its compressed qanun (a stringed Middle Eastern instrument, played here by the acclaimed Syrian musician Maya Youssef) looping in the background as electronic pulses, foreboding pianos, and disembodied voices swirl around the mix.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Cooked amaranth has a slightly earthy, porridge-like texture that works well as a breakfast bowl with fruit and honey, as a rice substitute under curries and stews, or as a stuffing for roasted squash.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
The oven component is frequently placed underneath and works with the toasting component up top to evenly heat the interior for your baking needs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
The rich finish and tailored detailing give it an understated sophistication that works especially well in offices, laundry rooms, and dressing rooms.
—Jaha Nailah Avery, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026
Islam said Nightlight also works collaboratively with other state non-profits such as Harm Reduction Inc.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Stiller works the camera courtside.
—Chelsea Stahl, NBC news, 9 June 2026
If that's what the market says Hamilton is worth as a driver and spokesman, great, that's how capitalism works.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
Noun
Fling has not directed a mainstage show at Goodspeed before, but he’s been deeply involved in every production there since one of his roles is as a line producer overseeing all the shows not just at the Opera House but at Goodspeed’s space for new works, the Terris Theatre in Chester.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Gutierrez said the jury would not privilege any particular documentary form, but would prioritize works that communicate genuine emotion and connect with viewers.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 June 2026
Norwegian Epic’s real test is whether life onboard works.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
To scale our recipe accordingly, pour in 3 3/4 ounces each of light rum, vodka, tequila, whiskey, and gin, along with 2 1/2 ounces sorghum or cane syrup (simple syrup works too), 2 ounces lime juice, and 2 ounces lemon juice.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
If images today have a way of eating up time, keeping our fingers scrolling, Hockney’s works might be said to give it back.
—Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
The Best Food Combinations for Nutrient Absorption Not every pairing works against you.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Partners have received works by Hans Memling, Rembrandt, van Dyck, Matisse, Cézanne, Degas, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alma Thomas, Mark Rothko, and so on.
—Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026
Other works rely more heavily on easy sentiment.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
Verb
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
Its heavy nature also causes oils to build up in pores, causing acne and breakouts, which other established moisturizing ingredients, like ceramides, petrolatum, squalene, glycerin and shea butter, are less likely to do.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Replacing natural sand with coal waste solves two environmental headaches at once.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
This ordinance solves a problem that doesn’t exist.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Parker, who serves as the chief of staff at Cook Children’s Hospital, has filed a conflict of interest form disclosing her employment and regularly recuses herself from votes involving city business with the hospital network.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
-
The lead author disclosed a conflict of interest involving an ownership stake in a management company that serves an aesthetics clinic, though that clinic doesn’t offer NAD+ infusions.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The company also operates skydiving companies out of Indianapolis and Rock County, Wisconsin.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
-
Those economics become even more challenging because publishing still operates on a returns system that dates back to the Great Depression.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2026
-
Al Weaver, a frequent British television actor, plays Leonard Finch, a curate who moves to Grantchester to assist James Norton’s vicar character Sidney Chambers.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
-
Prioritise, which uses AI to surface your most important notifications first, and Summarise, which condenses long chat threads into a quick summary without opening the app.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The introvert who generates extraordinary individual insight but struggles to inspire large groups gets an extroverted deputy to do the rallying.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
This configuration exploits the boundary layer of air flowing over the airframe to increase efficiency.—
David Szondy
June 14,
New Atlas,
14 June 2026
-
The hackers used a common tactic known as credential stuffing to access the data, which exploits weak and reused passwords.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Works.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
