work over

verb

worked over; working over; works over

transitive verb

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.

Synonyms

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• pummel
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup

Examples of work over in a Sentence

the mob boss's thugs really worked him over

Recent Examples on the Web

Illinois opened an office in Mexico in 1989 to strengthen its business relationship with the country, and Illinois has worked over the years to expand trade with Mexico through initiatives such as Illinois’ State Trade and Export Promotion program, according to the governor’s office. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

In that context, Willard’s work over the past 12 months has deeply impressed Williams. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025

Rescue responders had been working over the past several days to remove wreckage from the airplane, a Bombardier CRJ-700. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025

This requires discipline to do meaningful work over busy work. —Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for work over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover