action vs work

action and work both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
action	Yes	No	Yes	No
work	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, work is a hypernym of action; that is, work is a word with a broader meaning than action:

action: the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field
work: activity directed toward making or doing something

action (noun)	work (noun)
the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field	activity directed toward making or doing something
a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong	the occupation for which you are paid
something done (usually as opposed to something said)	a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing
a military engagement	a place where work is done
an act by a government body or supranational organization	the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)
the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism	applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
In firearms terminology, the mechanism that handles the ammunition (loads, locks, fires, and extracts the cartridges).	(physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force
the trait of being active and energetic and forceful
the series of events that form a plot
a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)
the state of being active

action (verb)	work (verb)
put in effect	give a workout to
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against	arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion
	go sour or spoil
	cause to undergo fermentation
	find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
	use or manipulate to one's advantage
	to mix into a homogeneous mass
	perform as expected when applied
	move into or onto
	shape, form, or improve a material
	cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
	prepare for crops
	make something, usually for a specific function
	gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
	proceed along a path
	move in an agitated manner
	provoke or excite
	be employed
	cause to work
	exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; work
	have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
	operate in a certain place, area, or specialty
	proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
	have and exert influence or effect
	operate in or through
	cause to operate or function
	behave in a certain way when handled