as in to develop
to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort
spent years working up a period novel that was historically accurate in every detail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 work up
In the nearly month since then the company has performed various tests on the vehicle and its ample ground systems, working up to the hot firing.
—
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
This works up to a light shade of about caramel blonde.
—Anna Bader, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024
Bruckheimer gets pretty worked up talking about Ederle, while Rønning is happy to glide through the more technical requirements of the film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024
Why won't my Spotify Wrapped load? Don't get too worked up if your Spotify Wrapped hasn't shown up for you yet.
—Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for work up 
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
This works up to a light shade of about caramel blonde.
—Anna Bader, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024
Bruckheimer gets pretty worked up talking about Ederle, while Rønning is happy to glide through the more technical requirements of the film.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024
Why won't my Spotify Wrapped load? Don't get too worked up if your Spotify Wrapped hasn't shown up for you yet.
—Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
-
Whether that is increasing the ball movement, finding another on-ball presence or tapping into better defense, this is an opportunity for the Mavericks to develop the skill sets of their role players so that when Dončić and Irving do come back, the team is even better equipped to support the stars.Law Murray, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
-
There’s knowledge from that experience and insight gained through Reid that would be valuable and applicable to the Bears’ efforts to develop Williams.Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
As the event neared toward the end, Moore raised a glass, offering words of encouragement and empowerment as the women in attendance planned to forge ahead.Eden Harris, Essence, 6 Jan. 2025
-
The comparison between business leadership and athletics underscores a hard truth: scaling up is not easy and demands a mindset forged through spirit, adaptability and strategic planning.Tom Dunlop, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The first order of business in the House is its constitutional obligation to elect its speaker, a process that has created high drama in recent years as Kevin McCarthy took 15 ballots to ultimately seize the gavel at the beginning of the 118th Congress.Lauren Peller, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
-
The convergence of innovation, capital and regulation will define this year as a turning point, creating unparalleled opportunities for those ready to ride the crest.Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Two weeks ago Sauer filed an unusual friend-of-the-court brief in the pending TikTok case which urges the justices to put the matter on hold and allow the new president time to work out a deal.David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Most evidence shows that consistently working out is more important than the time of day.Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near work up
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share