Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

make short work of

VERB
finish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplish achieve clinch close complete conclude do end make play out settle stop wind up wrap up
STRONG
cease crown culminate determine discharge effect execute finalize fold fulfill halt perfect scratch scrub shutter terminate ultimate wrap
WEAK
bag it break up bring to a close carry through come deal with get out of the way hang it up have done with mop up put finishing touches on round off round up sew up shut down top off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin commence continue give up introduce neglect not finish start
STRONG
disregard forget ignore initiate leave schedule set up
VERB
hurry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dash hasten hustle jog rush scoot scurry whirl whisk zip
STRONG
accelerate barrel beeline bestir breeze bullet burst bustle drive expedite fleet flit fly goad haste nip push quicken race rip rocket roll run sally smoke speed spur urge whish whiz
WEAK
be quick dig in get a move on go like lightning hurry up lose no time make haste make time make tracks shake a leg speed up step on it step on the gas turn on steam
Antonyms
STRONGEST
procrastinate slow
STRONG
cease check decelerate delay discourage dissuade halt hinder repress retard stop walk
WEAK
dally dawdle rest stall wait
VERB
rush
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barrel bolt break charge chase dash dispatch fly hustle press push run scramble scurry shoot sprint zip
STRONG
accelerate career course dart expedite fleet fling flit haste hasten hotfoot quicken race roll scud streak surge tear whiz zoom
WEAK
fire up get cracking get the lead out go like lightning hurry up lose no time make haste shake a leg speed up step on the gas
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dawdle retreat slow stay wait walk
STRONG
decelerate hinder retard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A mandoline can make short work of the apple slicing.

From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021

England should still win, because they are - excuse me - a damn fine football team, and they usually make short work of World Cup qualification.

From The Guardian • Mar. 28, 2021

The Chicago Cubs seemed determined to make short work of Rich Hill, the long-in-the-tooth left-hander who is the oldest active pitcher in the major leagues, on Friday night.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2019

Turkey appeared to have assumed that it would make short work of the Islamic State fighters there.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2017

Dany watched an elephant make short work of a pack of six red wolves.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin