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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning finally figured out how to work the math problem

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3
as in serves
to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in moves
to set or keep in motion this pump is worked by hand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in uses
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine

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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

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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

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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

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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
Though Calvin’s children and sister Ruth (Willow Kean), who works as Snook’s Arms Harbor Master, realize there are very few resources left to hold on to, Calvin digs in his heels, determined to find a way forward. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 But the setup only works with regular, honest conversations about who pays for what. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 This year's prizes began with the Nobel for medicine, awarded Monday to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 Rather than trying to predict future tax law changes, the firm works within the current code. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 How budgeting for little treats actually works Circana research found that some consumers maintain a dedicated budget line for small indulgences. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The fourth-generation Rogue small SUV debuts with a new hybrid powertrain called E-Power that works more like an electric vehicle than a traditional hybrid. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 In this seduction, in a text that manages to be both grandiose and intimate, Rice works the mysterious alchemy of creating permanence. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 At other moments, we are drawn magnetically into the myriad questions these works open up. — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
But equally rewarding are works by artists who are still being discovered, who haven’t already secured their place in art history. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Acoustic wooden bafflers frame the space and help create a sense of intimacy, with grand works from local artists peppered about and instilling a tangible sense of place. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Some survive because treatment works, not because the cancer was detected earlier; others survive because they were overdiagnosed (diagnosed with a cancer not destined to cause symptoms or death). — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026 To work at the speed at which Aaron’s brain works is not normal for most people. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 New works by Mexican artist Gabriel Guzmán, American artist Betty Woodman and Lee Ufan have been selected to commemorate France’s diplomatic anniversaries with Mexico, the United States and Korea. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 Frieze Sculpture Abu Dhabi will include Zeinab Alhashemi’s The Nut and Bolt, alongside works by Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Imran Qureshi, and Kamran Samimi. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026 For its 20th anniversary, IDFA DocLab unveils the first projects, including the two winners of the Film Fund DocLab Interactive Grant and new works developed through a two-year research program, Shared Realities. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 In a gallery space adjoinint the front room at Pace are 14 ceramic works, a series titled Touching Ground. — Grace Edquist, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
  1. causes
  2. solves
  3. serves
  4. operates
  5. moves
  6. uses
  7. struggles
  8. exploits
Verb
  • An April report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked nearly 17,000 Shigella samples, which causes Shigellosis, which and can bring on diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, collected between 2011 and 2023.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, an infected deer tick must keep its harpoon-like feeding tube in the bloodstream for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
    — Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of causes
Verb
  • Today’s Theme Everyone solves crosswords differently, and there’s no specific order you’re meant to solve in; do what works best for you.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a sense that getting rid of cameras solves the problem.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of solves
Verb
  • According to Ibrahim, the market primarily serves Arab, Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian customers, though American shoppers have increasingly discovered the shop as well.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Run by the art world’s favorite chef Mina Stone, the café serves an all-day menu of hearty salads, flavorful soups, Greek mezze and fancy toast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of serves
Verb
  • The service Gracious and genial, the staff operates on a high level.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Systemwide, American operates more than 6,000 daily flights to over 350 destinations across 60+ countries, serving more than 200 million customers annually.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of operates
Verb
  • Such plaudits raise the question of how Movistar Plus moves forward from here.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The mountains east to Hickory could see an average 3 or 4 inches of rain before the system moves from the region by Sunday afternoon, NWS meteorologist Chris Horne told The Charlotte Observer.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of moves
Verb
  • The hotel uses a keyless entry system with self-check-in and virtual guest service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The theme uses a colloquial phrase almost like a mathematical function.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Not only does Jeong-yo have an emotional connection to his music performance that Pi-o struggles to find himself, but Pi-o has injured his pinky in the leadup to the final performance, thanks to his obsessive practicing.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As someone who struggles with the dizzying effects of altitude, I was quickly reminded of Santa Fe’s 7,000-foot elevation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Russia exploits Ukraine’s air defense gaps Nationwide, the Russian attacks killed seven Ukrainian civilians and wounded 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, without providing details.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • BlueMoon exploits two Chromium vulnerabilities and one in the kernel of Windows 10 (Oct 2018 Update), Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 2004, Windows Server 2022, and the initial release of Windows 11.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of exploits

Browse Nearby Words

workrooms
works
works (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Works.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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