1
as in stopping
to bring (something) to a standstill
he drew up his horse outside the tavern
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in classifying
to put into a particular arrangement
drew up the troops into a line along the ridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in preparing
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form
draw up a proposal and submit it to the committee for approval
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 drawing up
Deadline reported last month that Ashling O’Connor, a consultant at executive search firm Spencer Stuart, has circulated a brief for the CEO position and is drawing up a list of potential candidates.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The United States seriously contemplated striking North Korea’s Yongbyon reactor in 1993, even drawing up military plans to attack the site with penetrating munitions delivered by stealth bombers.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
California is drawing up its own map in retaliation, with leaders from New York, Maryland, and Illinois signaling similar plans.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
The city is continuing to apply for environmental and other permits and drawing up plans for sanitation and maintenance as pelicans commandeer the pier in the absence of humans, Reyes said.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Both parties take part in gerrymandering -- drawing up state congressional maps for partisan gain.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is currently in the process of drawing up charges.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Imagine the complexity of communicating a play in the huddle in the red zone, drawing up a game-altering shot during a timeout or explaining a pitch sequence during a crucial at-bat.
—John Gallucci Jr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The United States seriously contemplated striking North Korea’s Yongbyon reactor in 1993, even drawing up military plans to attack the site with penetrating munitions delivered by stealth bombers.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2025
California is drawing up its own map in retaliation, with leaders from New York, Maryland, and Illinois signaling similar plans.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
The city is continuing to apply for environmental and other permits and drawing up plans for sanitation and maintenance as pelicans commandeer the pier in the absence of humans, Reyes said.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Both parties take part in gerrymandering -- drawing up state congressional maps for partisan gain.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is currently in the process of drawing up charges.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Imagine the complexity of communicating a play in the huddle in the red zone, drawing up a game-altering shot during a timeout or explaining a pitch sequence during a crucial at-bat.
—John Gallucci Jr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drawing up
Verb
-
To my surprise, Gary Friedman, the CEO and visionary behind the brand, was in the restaurant, casually moving between tables and greeting guests before graciously stopping at ours.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
One video was a loop showing the moment of impact in slow-motion, stopping before blood is seen.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Delays in classifying more illnesses hurt people, Tom O'Connor said.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The court forbade companies from classifying workers as independent contractors except in narrow circumstances.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This education gap in preparing employees to use AI and other new technologies effectively is a glaring, industry-wide need.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Originally preparing for former LSU and Ole Miss QB Walker Howard, the Tigers will instead see redshirt freshman Daniel Beale.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The United States has suspended some funding for its flagship AIDS relief program, according to international organizations and members of Congress who warn the cuts are already hurting patients and halting critical projects globally.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Goldman Sachs says surging investment in AI among the S&P 500 companies is diverting funds from stock buybacks, halting their usual yearly growth.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Removing the pressure of a large-scale organizing or decluttering effort can be a game changer for people who struggle with organizing.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Some common areas employees are using AI include drafting emails, taking meeting notes, organizing files, data entry and completing forms.—
Ernestine Siu
Shreya Ghosal,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Time saved in data collection can be devoted to results, whether composing a report, translating documents, developing a marketing strategy or creating new software.—
Morey Haber,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Williams, 93 years old and still composing music, should be left alone and left to do his more important creative tasks.—
Tim Greiving,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Runge argues in The Great Healthcare Disruption that innovation without humanity risks leaving patients behind, while humanity without innovation risks stalling medical progress.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Recent employment data, including the August jobs report, show a US economy with job growth that’s stalling out.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Strategic leaders are the generals, arranging forces before engagements.—
George Bradt,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Lizzo plops down in a straw chair with familiarity, arranging the many pillows around her and assuming a palms-up position.—
Allison P. Davis,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drawing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drawing%20up. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share