steam up

verb

steamed up; steaming up; steams up
Synonyms of steam upnext

transitive verb

: to make angry or excited : arouse

intransitive verb

: to become full of or covered by steam
The bathroom mirror steamed up.

Synonyms of steam up

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Examples of steam up in a Sentence

finding yet another mistaken charge on his hospital bill really steamed him up
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Turn the shower on hot until the bathroom steams up. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 18 May 2026 Since cool air can't hold as much moisture as warm air, more of the water will go down the drain instead of steaming up your bathroom mirror. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026 Open for business Small business owners, builders, and homeowners are steamed up by the cumbersome and time-consuming process of receiving permits from the city. — Larry Jacobs, Twin Cities, 15 Dec. 2025 Since Luca Guadagnino’s spicy sports drama Challengers steamed up screens everywhere, even casual fans have acknowledged that the game stirs up strong feelings. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for steam up

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of steam up was in 1920

Rhymes for steam up

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Browse Nearby Words

steam-turbine locomotive
steam up
steam valve
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Cite this Entry

“Steam up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam%20up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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