work over

verb

worked over; working over; works over

transitive verb

1
: to subject to thorough examination, study, or treatment
shelf stock worked over by shoppers
2
: to do over : rework
saved the play by working the first act over
3
: to beat up or manhandle with thoroughness
My boxing opponent worked me over in the ring.

Examples of work over in a Sentence

the mob boss's thugs really worked him over
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This cycle will continue until the state prioritizes being an affordable place to live and work over short-term political convenience. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 In fact, mothers have moved in and out of various kinds of work over the course of American history. Anna North, Vox, 26 June 2025 Hsiang and Hultgren, together with more than a dozen scholars, worked over the past eight years to draw observations from more than 12,000 regions across 55 countries. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 June 2025 Nearly half of the longshoremen who support operations at the port went without work over the last two weeks, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said in an interview. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for work over

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of work over was in 1832

Cite this Entry

“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work%20over. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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