works 1 of 2

Definition of worksnext
present tense third-person singular of work
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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

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

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works

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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
Throughout the novel, Nikki works tirelessly to prove herself amongst industry male figureheads who don’t value her voice, personhood, and brilliance, while managing pressure from a boss who isn't her advocate and navigating challenging colleagues steeped in misogyny and who are power-hungry. Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 But that’s not how state terror works. M. Gessen, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026 These Hokas are the rare travel shoe that works across all ages, activity levels, and destinations. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026 The company works closely with mental health professionals to ensure its technology aligns with clinical practice rather than replacing it. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026 This is about taking the best lessons from our past and building a modern middle class that works for everyone. Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026 Holiday said that Sanchez maybe works too much. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026 The chance to reconnect with Alexander — who currently works with Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles — seemed to be one of Miami’s best selling points for John Harbaugh, considering their quarterback situation is worse than that of the Giants. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026 That’s not the way science works either. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
The edgy South of Market venue in San Francisco that showcases works from up-and-coming artists is also known as a cool place to host gatherings and celebrations, especially among the city arts crowd. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 Meyers, performed works by Bach, Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre alongside Grant Gershon, the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the chorale’s members. Camelia Heins, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026 This article walks you through how hair transplantation in Turkey works, why Turkey has become a global hotspot, and what makes Smile Hair Clinic a serious contender for international patients. Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Marwan Hamed and Yousry Nasrallah Two legends of Egyptian cinema, filmmaker Marwan Hamed, whose works are celebrated in IFFR’s 2026 retrospective, and director Yousry Nasrallah will discuss Hamed’s biopic El Sett (IFFR 2026) as well as highlights from their filmmaking careers. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026 Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after. Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026 Aristotle’s understanding of virtue is reflected not only in his works, but in the deeds of his reputed student, Alexander the Great. Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026 Michael Schumacher, a Wisconsin author who produced a diverse array of works including biographies of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and musician Eric Clapton as well as accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks, has died. Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026 For a more portable option, this $30 handheld works just like a mini snowblower and clears off your car in seconds. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
Verb
  • Duesberg kept making his argument well after evidence that the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, causes AIDS became incontestable.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
  • According to Tuff, what causes leaders to miss these paradigm shifts is not ignorance but hesitation.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Seek’s application for potassium permanganate solves a nagging issue for the denim industry, but the flexibility of the organic bleaching system is wide reaching.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The person who quietly solves a critical problem looks less valuable than the one sending three status updates a day about trivial progress.
    Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Use this time to think about what makes sense to offload that no longer serves your career.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The college serves an additional 3,253 professional skills training students through workforce development, job training, adult education and other programs.
    Edward McKinnon, Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The spa Asian—specifically, Balinese—influences are again evident in the decor, massage techniques, and ingredients used at the 30,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, the Atlantis location of the beloved wellness brand that operates at resorts around the world and on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings.
    Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Standing against them is notorious kingpin Bada Chaudhary (Sharad Kelkar), whose syndicate operates through layers of deceit through corridors in Saudi Arabia, Ethopia, Italy, Thailand and the UK.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One slightly wrong rate in a budget, procurement forecast, or loan estimate easily moves millions of dollars in the wrong direction.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.
    Devon Lum, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The video, which has been posted on Instagram and TikTok and viewed thousands of times, shows a man either dead or dying from gunshot wounds as a Richmond detective uses a blunt object to smash in the driver’s side of his own vehicle and open the door.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Johnnie Ray Salisbury, now 71, was linked to the case by forensic genealogy — a science that uses DNA from a family tree to narrow down a suspect.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Traveling around the world, arranging meetings with whoever is the oldest at that particular moment in time, Green struggles to formulate the right questions to ask these people.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Azad doesn’t know that she’s adopted, and Rojîn struggles with how to tell her.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Much as a private security company exploits rising risks to increase the cost of its services, Washington exploits European vulnerability and enjoys the attendant escalation of tension between Russia and its European allies.
    Ivan Krastev, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
  • While the American military base RDA relentlessly exploits Pandora, Sully and his family seek refuge with the reef-dwelling, aquatic clan of Metkayina.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Works.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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