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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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
When investigations uncover evidence of criminal activity, DOI routinely works with prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to pursue criminal charges in addition to administrative or civil actions. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 The lightweight linen-blend fabric keeps things airy, while the classic wide-leg silhouette works with everything from flip-flops during the day to strappy sandals at night. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 As a psychologist who works for a nonprofit providing services, including ABA, to children with autism and other developmental disabilities, these news articles are sobering. — Doreen Samelson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Anderson has since remarried and currently works as chief of staff for corporate development at payment technology company Celero Commerce. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026 The land transfer cleared its last regulatory hurdle June 26 with the approval by the California Transportation Commission, said Neil Thapar, an attorney who works as an advisor and legal consultant to Kai Poma. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 Bruce Fedman of Jasper and James Luxury Gifts, who works with many of Hollywood’s top studios and executives, says that is exactly the point. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 Dance, grief and memory carry the story forward as Mohini works toward rediscovering her artistic identity. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026 KrebsOnSecurity reports that Popa works less like a traditional botnet built for quick attacks and more like a persistent tunneling system. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
Its catalog includes works of German literature and translations from French English, and Icelandic, notably the work of Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness. — News Desk, Artforum, 16 July 2026 How perimenopause supplement stacking works A stack is a modular set of supplements chosen for symptoms rather than a one-size-fits-all multivitamin. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 Given the scope and scale of the collection, tell me about the process of selecting the 331 works that would come to the Clark. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026 His understanding of his sister—and the way a ten-year-old child’s mind works—is out of step with reality. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 The app is designed for Apple products and works across five platforms, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026 In both works, the disturbing cruelty of the classical age is matched by an audiovisual sublimity that reflects the poetry of the tragedies—by Sophocles and Euripides, respectively—on which the films are based. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Atherton has been married to his wife, Bobbi Goldin, since 1980, and has supported charitable works with the Jewish Family Service of the Desert in Palm Springs and the Los Angeles Library Foundation. — Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Overall, the lineup will showcase 233 works, split between 51 features 81 shorts and 1 series. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
  1. causes
  2. solves
  3. serves
  4. operates
  5. moves
  6. uses
  7. struggles
  8. exploits
Verb
  • In May, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared outbreaks after lab tests detected the spread of Bundibugyo virus, which causes a type of Ebola disease.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • 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.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
Definition of causes
Verb
  • The launch solves a real problem in the sustainability reporting world, which is fragmented requests and inconsistent methodologies.
    — Arthur Zackiewicz, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
  • The new crossbar architecture solves that challenge by enabling two-dimensional pixel-level control while reducing unwanted electrical interference.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of solves
Verb
  • Pancakes, omelets, and breakfast burritos are on the Santa Ana Café breakfast menu, while The Plaza Bar & Grill serves cocktails, salads, and sandwiches poolside.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
  • Birkenstock 1774, the brand’s elevated and experimental line, serves as a platform for collaborations, uniting the brand’s know-how with the creative vision of some of fashion’s biggest names.
    — Augustine Hammond, Vogue, 13 July 2026
Definition of serves
Verb
  • The local federation operates a number of programs directly and supports a wide range of education, cultural, religious and security initiatives meant to strengthen the Jewish community.
    — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026
  • Gran Grif operates in the country’s heartland, where dozens of houses were looted and burned and during a predawn assault in March in the town of Jean-Denis in the Lower Artibonite region.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of operates
Verb
  • Instead of using a remote or control panel, the player moves into position and signals with a simple hand gesture for the ball, and the AI biometrics locate and pinpoint the player position.
    — Shirl Leigh July 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • This recent flight, announced this week, confirmed the drone’s flight controls and performance as the program moves closer to carrier use.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of moves
Verb
  • The program also uses 16 buoy systems to send live detection data to lifeguards.
    — Kori McNair, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • When someone uses a TrumpRx coupon for a brand-name drug at the pharmacy counter, GoodRx processes the claim on the back end.
    — Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 16 July 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • The actor plays Rob Gordon, a Chicago music-store owner who struggles with relationships and responsibility.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 16 July 2026
  • Speaking of social media, your Five Star Weekend character struggles a bit with authenticity and her followers.
    — Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Trump has pioneered a style of communication that exploits our distracted, disputatious age.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • This configuration exploits the boundary layer of air flowing over the airframe to increase efficiency.
    — David Szondy June 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2026
Definition of exploits

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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 18 Jul. 2026.

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