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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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
The Government Accountability Office has highlighted these challenges as the Air Force works toward replacing its aging ICBM fleet. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 The Democrat is running for Precinct 2 commissioner to create a government that works for everyday people, prioritizing lowering the cost of living, delivering excellent county services and protecting fundamental rights. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 Barrera defended the overall quality of public schools and advocated for expanding what works from successful campuses to those with poorer academic results. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Shanahan, from Joliet and a married mother of three, works as a grassroots engagement director for the policy advocacy group Americans for Prosperity. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026 Still, what works best for us as a family is to share rather than purchase vehicles specifically for our teens. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Nov. 2026 That works just fine for this season’s noble arc, but that same polish that’s arguably warranted now does little to suggest future seasons will be willing to wrestle with whatever truth may exist in Cash’s warning. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026 Divine works as an information technology administrator for a school district. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026 When Windows is switched off, the device simply works as a Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad for the tablet itself. — New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
Noun
Because the album is rich with melody—because the compositions snake so readily from note to note, compared to Malone’s previous works—inklings of narrative start to seep from the foggy passages. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026 Also included in the mix were family heirlooms, like paintings passed down to her from her grandmother, or works made by her father. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes softens the edges of a bold red lip with a brush for the halo lip, Vogue reported, showing the technique works beyond pale or neutral shades. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026 That database was paltry compared with those assembled by AI developers today, but even then computers had become repositories of the esoteric facts one found in reference works and textbooks. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026 Proceeds from Dia’s fall gala will go toward commissions, publications, lectures and other educational programs in addition to the foundation’s restoration plans for existing spaces and site-specific works. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026 Williams lives, works and invents in Staten Island, New York with his wife and kids. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026 According to a Charleston press release, Darren Clarke, head of collections and research at Charleston, believes the discrepancy in timing may be explained by Grant’s practice in later life of retrospectively dating works. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Nov. 2026 Those works and other similar ones in the Met’s collection exemplified a neoclassical New England style that informed her work, titled Vessel. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
  1. causes
  2. solves
  3. serves
  4. operates
  5. moves
  6. uses
  7. struggles
  8. exploits
Verb
  • Time away from work to vote should be taken at the beginning or end of a shift — whichever causes the least disruption to the workday — unless the employer and employee agree on another arrangement.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Researchers are still working out exactly how the parasite causes this change, but studies have found changes in proteins in the host’s brain as the parasite manipulates it.
    — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of causes
Verb
  • The massive vessel Green ammonia solves the core storage and transport limitations of renewable energy.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Each solves an important problem, but often with only part of the picture.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of solves
Verb
  • Its combustion engine serves as a range extender, generating electricity when the battery can no longer provide all the energy required for driving.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For many, a place remembered for its scenery also serves as a backdrop for personal moments of grief, reflection or healing, the survey said.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of serves
Verb
  • The company says its sodium-ion platform operates with passive cooling, eliminating the need for those systems.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Technically not in Lofoten, but well worth extending your trip for, Kvitnes Gard is a historic estate in Hadsel, Vesterålen, that operates as a 15-room farm hotel.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of operates
Verb
  • As part of its process, the powered gimbal moves the image around in the general direction the projector's already facing, stopping the movement several times in the process before continuing, and adjusting the image size several times as well.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Flight testing moves forward L3Harris has reached the second phase of the Army’s Xtended Range Counter-sUAS Missile program.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of moves
Verb
  • Integrated photonics uses light to transmit and manipulate information within compact circuits.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sand criticized Iowa's education savings account, or voucher, program, which uses public money to help families pay private school tuition.
    — Sheila Brummer, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Special teams struggles a bit Kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a 43-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, extending the special teams issues for the Dolphins on a day when special teams seemed to be doing OK.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • This provides a specialized foundation if your student struggles primarily with math.
    — Karen Koehler, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • One solution exploits a mismatch between the way PHP measures compressed files and decoded files.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Early on, Sakurai exploits the inherent absurdity of telling a story populated by so many ludicrous characters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of exploits

Browse Nearby Words

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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 7 Nov. 2026.

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