use up

verb

used up; using up; uses up

transitive verb

: to exhaust of strength or useful properties

land that has been used up

Synonyms

• absorb
• burn
• consume
• deplete
• devour
• drain
• draw down
• exhaust
• expend
• play out
• spend

Examples of use up in a Sentence

we used up the last of the flour when we made the waffles

Recent Examples on the Web

While these capabilities were also available in the previous versions, the latest 3.2 release, according to IBM, maintains the same performance but does so using up to 40% less active parameters. —Francis Sideco, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Many readers noted this was a staple dinner for using up in-season vegetables, or making do with frozen veggies, in a convenient way to feed a whole family. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025

Essentially, this means that metabolism remains high and the liver uses up the fuel essential for weight loss. —New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2025

Well, maybe not quite—reportedly, this year’s official afterparty will be using up about 1,200 limes to make enough cocktails for all the attendees. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for use up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

use up

verb

: to make complete use of : exhaust

used up all the supplies