work over

verb

Definition of work overnext
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly the mob boss's thugs really worked him over

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 work over Obviously, the plan worked over a two-year period, and even into 2025. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Otherwise, its generous fit is just oversized enough to work over fall layers. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 Plainly, this router works over time to support your connection. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026 Where Hsu’s early work was filled with the people in his life, his work over the past decade is marked by a kind of solitude. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for work over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work over
  1. lick
  2. hide
  3. pound
  4. lash
  5. do
  6. hit
  7. punch out
  8. beat
Verb
  • Occupying a particularly picturesque and secluded stretch of headland, where Aleppo pines drape rocky coves and the cerulean Mediterranean waves lick the similarly shaded horizon, the resort is the hospitality group’s first foray into the Balearics.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Some wagged their tails as people approached, licked their hands and even liked to be petted.
    — Alida de Flamingh, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Working in quick, gentle strokes, Abrams used her brush and sprayer to peel away dirt hiding the floral details on Eliza’s grave before moving to the next.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The subsequent furor is about hiding it from the public and about a brazen plea to keep the Democratic Party and three of its candidates from advertising those facts.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • A little girl pounding her fists and screaming; none of the visitors nor the staff were allowed to hold her to provide comfort.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Pistons pounded the inside and scored 24 second-chance points.
    — Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of pound
Verb
  • Trump lashed out again on Wednesday when taking questions on his way to Marine One heading to the South Carolina trip.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the students were accused of minor offenses, like making threats, using cannabis vapes or lashing out at classmates or teachers, the analysis found.
    — Kristian Hernández, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of lash
Verb
  • There are rippling gasps, drums, strings, sax, a vaguely Latin guitar, a sample of a woman talking about getting her hair done.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Sellers who have the option to pull their listing off the market are generally doing so.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For the past few years, Baba Stiltz has been hitting the open road with nothing but a guitar, a tape deck, and a few pedals.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hit
Verb
  • Rays starter Drew Rasmussen kept that lead strong through five innings, punching out seven.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On Oregon’s next possession, facing a fourth and one, UCLA stuffed Thomas, once again punching out a fumble.
    — Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of punch out
Verb
  • Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists, and Artemi Panarin added a power-play goal and an assist as the Kings beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Monday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In a shocking upset, a student movement resoundingly beat longtime Serbian leader President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his time in power after 14 years.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of beat

Browse Nearby Words

workouts
work over
workplace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Work over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20over. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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