works 1 of 2

Definition of worksnext
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

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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
Name what works, define one agreement, and build from something that feels stable and reliable. Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026 But the slow realization that Snake Rob was a genuine threat who would ultimately run the game was especially satisfying and a reminder of how well The Traitors works as an all-star showcase and narrative machine, even in its fourth season. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026 Salt works best as a cleaning abrasive when paired with warm water or an acid, like lemon juice or vinegar. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026 Their Allure Best of Beauty award-winning and best-selling Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask is a 2-in-1 treatment that works as a gentle scrub or leave-on detox mask to deeply cleanse and brighten. ABC News, 4 May 2026 In private briefings, the lawyers are reminding staff members how congressional oversight works and suggesting best practices for handling it. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 4 May 2026 Yes, there is a possibility that this all works somehow. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 4 May 2026 My top economic priority is building an economy that works for everyone, not just the billionaires and biggest corporations. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Obsessing over work-life balance is a huge red flag, says one Fortune 500 Europe CEO who happily works weekends. Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Outside of those major works, most of his on-screen acting happened on television. Jack Dunn, Variety, 10 May 2026 To learn more about which flea and tick treatment works best, consult with your vet. Jessie Quinn, USA Today, 10 May 2026 Six permanent outdoor works are dotted around the property, including a large rocket by Polish artist Goshka Macuga and a shocking pink tree, commissioned specifically for the island, by Pamela Rosenkranz. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 9 May 2026 Actors perform Shakespeare’s works and other seasonal plays on stage throughout the year. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 Intertwined with a cast of spacey ambient synth works, Yokota and Kondo’s visionary orchestral arrangements culminated in two of the most timeless video-game soundtracks ever made. Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026 Winding throughout is a site-specific art trail created by the Irish collector Paddy McKillen, with architectural works by Pritzker Prize winner Tadao Ando, as well as Ai Weiwei. Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026 At a time when the images and stories of migrants and migration in the United States portray a crisis, Cadet’s works present a poignant, intimate counterweight. Elly Fishman, Vogue, 8 May 2026 Spector was most struck by its recurring motif of a burning sun, which appears about seven times in the course of the video’s seven and a half minutes, and which also appears in other Jafa works, like APEX (2013). Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
Verb
  • In that one, a high-profile divorce case between tech titan Morgan Henderson (West) and international film star Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) causes shockwaves.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 May 2026
  • In the western hemisphere the hantavirus typically causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a potentially deadly infection.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • They are prepped to run the ball more frequently, or at least run it more effectively, in hopes that this solves the stagnation — rather than personnel shouldering the load.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
  • Money solves many, if not all, ills.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The aesthetic presentation also celebrates nature; a gnarled grape vine serves as a platter to display the amuses-bouches.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
  • Mark Mylod serves as executive producer and directed multiple episodes.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • And Cloudflare said the way the company operates has completely changed, adding that its AI use has increased by more than 600% in the last three months alone.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
  • The machine operates with 200 qubits, and Chinese state media reported that key indicators, including the lifetime and reliability of its qubits, have already reached what researchers described as world-class levels.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Light-diffusing pigments blur the look of dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone with a soft-focus effect, while the proprietary Flex Form Matrix technology creates a breathable layer that moves with the skin throughout the day—without settling into fine lines or creasing.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 10 May 2026
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Under the terms of the compromise, companies could provide rewards when a customer actively uses stablecoin.
    Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2026
  • This approach usually uses estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone to stabilize hormone levels and reduce symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Green struggles to score 16 points in an empty gym.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
  • The departures of certain Kaiser Permanente offices and a string of prominent restaurant and bar closures have come to symbolize the city’s struggles to retain employers and attract new ones.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Lockwood exploits that conundrum, and even takes part in it.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • If anything looks off, a professional inspection is a smart investment — far cheaper than an emergency roof repair after a storm exploits an existing weak spot.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Works.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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