work over
verb
worked over; working over; works over
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
The Inland Empire traded its agricultural economy for logistics work over the past two decades.
—
Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Marie-Thérèse Walter’s features appeared in Picasso’s work over the next decade.
—Jake McGowan, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
The narration talked about Fox in the past tense and looked back on his life and work over the years.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Nee confirmed that success has come because of hard work over the years.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
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Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Marie-Thérèse Walter’s features appeared in Picasso’s work over the next decade.
—Jake McGowan, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
The narration talked about Fox in the past tense and looked back on his life and work over the years.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Nee confirmed that success has come because of hard work over the years.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work over
Cite this Entry
“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/work%20over. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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