works 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of work
1
2
3
as in serves
to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in operates
to produce a desired effect this headache remedy takes half an hour to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
6
as in uses
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
8

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

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
Verb
Technology works, but scaling it to a level that meaningfully impacts global emissions is an entirely different challenge. Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Otherwise, the oil works as a specialized scalp treatment, too, or to provide nourishment during protective styling. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025 Made viral by TikTok user Robyn Delmonte, the red-nail theory works similar to the manifestation manicure, in which wearing certain nail polish colors can help influence your future. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025 Just as Dubas works for the Penguins and not for Crosby, Brisson works for Crosby and not the Penguins. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025 Kemp is doing just that ‒ and hoping that peer pressure works both ways. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Eliécer Camacho Jiménez, former general of the Colombian National Police (the organization that works closely with the DEA on combatting drug trafficking in Colombia), told me there are growing divisions within Maduro's circles. Kristina Foltz, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 That people might be falling for the Minneapolis shooter’s scribblings and raging at each other over potential motivations is likely thrilling to potential copycat killers—proof that the troll still works. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 Roxanne works full time as a nurse, specializing in anti-aging and helping women over 50 take care of their bodies. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Joining the collection soon will be new site-specific works created by the artist collective RojoNegro (composed of Noé Martínez and María Sosa), sculptor Max Hooper Schneider and poet, artist and chef Precious Okoyomon. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 Through her Art Bridges Foundation, Walton has spent more than $500 million acquiring and loaning out works of American art to more than 230 museums across the country since the nonprofit’s founding in 2016. Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 But the Big Tech companies behind generative AI learned early on that building a business using the creative works of others is easier without asking permission or compensating creatives. Ruth Vitale, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 Other notable selections include projects adapted from works by Higashiyama Akira and a new documentary from Berlinale Teddy Award recipient Huang Hui-chen. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 So far, she’s been able to recover around 350 out of roughly 1,200 works. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 The current exhibition boasts a collection of 257 works created by Mapplethorpe, offering a comprehensive showcase of his work. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
Verb
  • The exertion from trying to break free from the current causes fatigue as the current continues to pull them out, experts say.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • 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.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Your product solves a real problem.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The local office of the OIJ in Quepos, which serves the central Pacific area of the country and is in the area where Miller Gardner died, told CNN on Friday that it was asked to expand its investigation into the case.
    Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The film operates under the Primetime banner, neurodivergent actor-producer Victoria Emslie’s platform dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices across disability, gender, global majority and sexuality spectrums.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Build a team that operates without you.
    Guy Peixoto, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The job market moves quickly, and preparation is your competitive advantage.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The all-new Habiton lives and sleeps larger than its footprint thanks an entire room that actually moves back and forth.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • At the WellChild Awards in London on Monday, May 8, Harry, 40, chatted with 13-year-old Grace Tutt, a Special Recognition winner who uses a wheelchair following a bus crash.
    Erin Hill, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In recent decades, as China has laid down vast networks of high-speed rail and thrown up shimmering cities, Americans have developed a deepening sense that their own country struggles to get things done.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • He was sacked six times by a team that struggles to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • My Pafology, later retitled Fuck, a book that exploits nearly every Black stereotype.
    Lauren Morrow September 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Whether through cyber operations, intellectual property theft, or now these scam centers, China exploits grey zones that provide strategic advantage while maintaining deniability.
    Mike Kuiken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Works.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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