Synonyms of work
1
as in to cause
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
this new drug can really work wonders
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Relevance
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2
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
finally figured out how to work the math problem
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3
4
5
as in to drive
to set or keep in motion
this pump is worked by hand
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6
7
as in to struggle
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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8
as in to use
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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1
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production
unfortunately, many of her works are now out of print
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2
as in production
something produced by physical or intellectual effort
the new Web application is the work of a pair of young but highly gifted programmers
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3
as in job
the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists
the work of a movie director is to tell a story through a series of striking images
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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
put a lot of work into the project
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5
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
what line of work are you in?
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of work
Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
High calcium levels can affect how fast your heart beats and how well other heart medications work.
—Health, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Verb
His mother worked as a doctor in China, and juggled three jobs in the U.S. for over a decade, saving up enough to eventually open a medical clinic.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 31 May 2025
The data doesn't lie: vaccines work, including against COVID-19.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
Along with Thompson’s work for Axios, the most detailed report on Biden’s frailty and memory lapses came in June 2024 from Wall Street Journal reporters Siobhan Hughes and Annie Linskey.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
High calcium levels can affect how fast your heart beats and how well other heart medications work.
—Health, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work
Verb
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Rodriguez has been charged by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the district attorney's office said.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Rodriguez has been charged with murder of foreign officials, two counts of first-degree murder, discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and causing a person’s death through the use of that firearm, according to a criminal complaint.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Since the series tries to spotlight so many people in the Ironwood community, the audience is often pulled in several directions when the focus could have stayed squarely on the twins, the quest to repair Christian’s car and solving the mystery of his disappearance.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 May 2025
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Already, the technology has shown its capacity to solve complex problems, optimize processes and inform enhanced decision-making.—
Chris Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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All their efforts, Fils and the fans morphing into one, culminated with that Marseillaise that held up play as Munar served to stay in the match at 4-5.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
This has forced the library system to pay a contractor $1,500 per month to power-wash the area outside the branch twice a week during the morning hours after previously relying on in-house personnel to perform the task.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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Irsay was a musician himself, as the lead vocalist and frontman of the Jim Irsay Band, which performed shows across the country with guest performers including John Mellencamp and Ann Wilson.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The franchise has driven over half a billion hours of streams, with the original accounting for more than 280 hours.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
26 May 2025
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Derek Jeter gets his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth player in Yankees history to reach the milestone. 2008 — Chase Utley tied the National League lead with his 16th homer and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed Colorado 20-5.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Law enforcement doesn’t operate this way, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Wayne Ford,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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In recent years, charter schools have proven popular with parents both in major cities and in rural areas, and their numbers would surely have grown if churches or religious groups were free to operate these schools.—
David G. Savage,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Rob Crossan January 17, 2025 Marketed as a luxury tourist destination, the Maldives struggles with the legacy of an authoritarian government and the existential threat of climate change.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 May 2025
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While many companies have struggled to define their policies, bouncing between strict return-to-office mandates and hybrid compromises, Logitech has taken a different path.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The initiative draws water from the L.A. River in downtown L.A., cleans it and uses it to irrigate Los Angeles State Historic Park.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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Administration officials initially weighed using Section 122 to impose higher tariffs but decided not to, due to the 150-day limit.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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