1
as in operating
being in effective operation the only working coal mine in the area
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Relevance
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2
as in applied
capable of being put to use or account as a would-be independent filmmaker, you'll need a working knowledge of motion picture photography and editing
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3
as in engaged
involved in often constant activity a boss who is of the opinion that a working employee is a needed employee, as idleness is a sign of dispensability
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1
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) this new drug can really work wonders
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2
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning finally figured out how to work the math problem
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3
as in acting
to have a certain purpose the human kidneys work as a filtering system for the blood
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4
as in performing
to produce a desired effect this headache remedy takes half an hour to work
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5
as in driving
to set or keep in motion this pump is worked by hand
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6
as in using
to control the mechanical operation of show me how to work the machine
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7
as in laboring
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 exploiting
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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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 working
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Kids can monkey around in the children’s playroom while their parents log on in the co-working space. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 Microsoft Outlook Lite for Android will stop working next month. —James Peckham, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for working
Adjective
That’s more than $1 billion per working day. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Kids can monkey around in the children’s playroom while their parents log on in the co-working space. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Both played a key role in bringing the two sides together, were present at varying times throughout the 21-hours of inconclusive talks and have been working intensely to move the process forward. —CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 Microsoft Outlook Lite for Android will stop working next month. —James Peckham, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for working
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working
Adjective
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Exxon operates some of the wells directly and holds a financial, non-operating interest in the others.— Rachel Nostrant, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026
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Last year, though revenue and operating profit increased, non-operating red ink pushed the company into a full-year loss of NT$766 million, or $25 million.— Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His attorney, Ava Benach, said Vedam hopes to live with a relative in Sacramento and has been offered a spot in Oregon State University’s doctoral program in applied anthropology.— Mark Scolforo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
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The combined sensing system allows devices to detect both simple touch and applied pressure, creating a more advanced interaction surface.— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Alito has remained an active and engaged participant in the court's work, even after he was briefly hospitalized earlier this year for a health scare of undisclosed origin.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
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Zander credits remaining engaged and excited.— Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the standoff continued, Wenger was allegedly observed creating additional weapons, including taping a knife to a pole to form a spear, Podgorski said.— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
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This set includes a spacious table and cushioned seating, creating a comfortable setup for both everyday meals and hosting.— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Residents deserve leadership that is focused on solving problems, not creating them.— Denise Horland, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
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Most of the preparation for this eventuality has involved updating RSA encryption to use the Module Lattice Key Encapsulation Mechanism—typically known as ML-KEM—a PQC algorithm based on problems that quantum computers have no advantage over classical computing in solving.— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers were connected, apparently having had time to adjust to the loss of their two leading scorers, LeBron James acting as a brilliant playmaker for scorching hot shooters like Kennard, who hit all five of his treys in scoring a career playoff-high 27 points.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
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Joseph Gerbasi, who spent decades in the division, retired in March of 2025 from his role as acting deputy chief for policy in the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, a group that has now been merged into the division's section on money laundering.— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The six-member girl group, currently performing as a five-member group, as member Manon is on hiatus, made their Coachella debut on Friday.— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
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Several acts who have been plying their musical craft since the 1960s and are still performing well over half a century later are visiting Connecticut this week.— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without.— Alexa St. John, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
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Smith went 2 for 2 with a walk and double at the plate, driving in 2 runs and scoring a run, all out of the 9 hole in the lineup for Southwest Christian (24-4 overall, 6-1 district).— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Working.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/working. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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