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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Relevance

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
Though Calvin’s children and sister Ruth (Willow Kean), who works as Snook’s Arms Harbor Master, realize there are very few resources left to hold on to, Calvin digs in his heels, determined to find a way forward. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 But the setup only works with regular, honest conversations about who pays for what. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 This year's prizes began with the Nobel for medicine, awarded Monday to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 Rather than trying to predict future tax law changes, the firm works within the current code. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 How budgeting for little treats actually works Circana research found that some consumers maintain a dedicated budget line for small indulgences. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The fourth-generation Rogue small SUV debuts with a new hybrid powertrain called E-Power that works more like an electric vehicle than a traditional hybrid. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 In this seduction, in a text that manages to be both grandiose and intimate, Rice works the mysterious alchemy of creating permanence. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 At other moments, we are drawn magnetically into the myriad questions these works open up. — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
But equally rewarding are works by artists who are still being discovered, who haven’t already secured their place in art history. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Acoustic wooden bafflers frame the space and help create a sense of intimacy, with grand works from local artists peppered about and instilling a tangible sense of place. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Some survive because treatment works, not because the cancer was detected earlier; others survive because they were overdiagnosed (diagnosed with a cancer not destined to cause symptoms or death). — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026 To work at the speed at which Aaron’s brain works is not normal for most people. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 New works by Mexican artist Gabriel Guzmán, American artist Betty Woodman and Lee Ufan have been selected to commemorate France’s diplomatic anniversaries with Mexico, the United States and Korea. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 Frieze Sculpture Abu Dhabi will include Zeinab Alhashemi’s The Nut and Bolt, alongside works by Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Imran Qureshi, and Kamran Samimi. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Sep. 2026 For its 20th anniversary, IDFA DocLab unveils the first projects, including the two winners of the Film Fund DocLab Interactive Grant and new works developed through a two-year research program, Shared Realities. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 In a gallery space adjoinint the front room at Pace are 14 ceramic works, a series titled Touching Ground. — Grace Edquist, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works
  1. causes
  2. solves
  3. serves
  4. operates
  5. moves
  6. uses
  7. struggles
  8. exploits
Verb
  • Plus, an infected deer tick must keep its harpoon-like feeding tube in the bloodstream for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
    — Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • This causes the cement paint and patching compound to dry too quickly.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of causes
Verb
  • Today’s Theme Everyone solves crosswords differently, and there’s no specific order you’re meant to solve in; do what works best for you.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a sense that getting rid of cameras solves the problem.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of solves
Verb
  • Rosemary, the resort’s signature restaurant serves plant-forward cuisine that incorporates regional ingredients and spices.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pugh also serves as an executive producer on East of Eden, taking on a central role in the creation of the series since she was brought on in 2020.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of serves
Verb
  • The plane was carrying out a medical evacuation in Bermuda, said Clarence Togeretz, the director of flight operations at Latitude Air Ambulance, which operates the plane.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates the state's three major airports, confirmed that the aircraft did not arrive at Boston Logan International Airport as scheduled.
    — James Cirrone , Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of operates
Verb
  • Riley was a direct inspiration on the record, and while the Bay Area composer did work with drones, his influence is more poignant here, in the way Schwendener breaks the melody down into pieces and moves them around.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Bits per second is commonly used in BCI research to quantify how quickly and accurately a user can select intended targets, rather than simply measuring how fast a cursor physically moves.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of moves
Verb
  • The hotel uses a keyless entry system with self-check-in and virtual guest service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The theme uses a colloquial phrase almost like a mathematical function.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of uses
Verb
  • Not only does Jeong-yo have an emotional connection to his music performance that Pi-o struggles to find himself, but Pi-o has injured his pinky in the leadup to the final performance, thanks to his obsessive practicing.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As someone who struggles with the dizzying effects of altitude, I was quickly reminded of Santa Fe’s 7,000-foot elevation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggles
Verb
  • Russia exploits Ukraine’s air defense gaps Nationwide, the Russian attacks killed seven Ukrainian civilians and wounded 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, without providing details.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • BlueMoon exploits two Chromium vulnerabilities and one in the kernel of Windows 10 (Oct 2018 Update), Windows Server 2019, Windows 10 2004, Windows Server 2022, and the initial release of Windows 11.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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