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
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 work up
And Allen’s complaints, though too vague to assess individually, are indeed the sorts of things one might reasonably get worked up about.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Fred and Palmer can’t get their heads around what the rest of the Marsies are so worked up about, and Boyd has far bigger fish to fry because her freelance sleuthing in the space-suit checkout logs has revealed something terrible.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The players looked worked up at times and the fans are nervous.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
This is an ideal matchup for the Avs to work up a sweat before taking on the Dallas Stars.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Fred and Palmer can’t get their heads around what the rest of the Marsies are so worked up about, and Boyd has far bigger fish to fry because her freelance sleuthing in the space-suit checkout logs has revealed something terrible.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
The players looked worked up at times and the fans are nervous.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
This is an ideal matchup for the Avs to work up a sweat before taking on the Dallas Stars.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
-
These dogs may rub their eyes excessively due to discomfort and corneal ulcers can also develop.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Parking for the new facility would be on a portion of the land that cannot be developed because of the safety zone.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The documents were later found to be forged.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
During the war in Iran, Ukraine has capitalized on innovations forged by the country's military and defense contractors over more than four years of grueling conflict with Russia.—
Aidan Stretch,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Initial estimates put repair pricetag at about $400,000, leading the Riverwalk Commission and the now-defunct Exchange Club of Naperville to consider alternatives, including converting the fountain into a static art installation or creating a more natural water feature with plantings.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
But there are also many subtle gestures toward immortality, suggesting that Wilson has learned to see beyond the conditions of loss and precarity that created these families.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
El-Ahmad addressed Fitz in the context of other players who have not worked out across his four-plus transfer windows in Minnesota, including center back Victor Eriksson and midfielders Matus Kmet and Hoyeon Jung.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
-
Plus, there are technical issues to work out before a full-scale energy transition can be made.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
