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
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Recent Examples of drawing up
British ministers are drawing up plans to send minesweeping drones to the Strait of Hormuz after Iran threatened ships traveling through the vital oil route.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Ryan was heavily involved with drawing up trick plays for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and is lauded for his creativity.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Certain assistants are also tasked with drawing up each opponents’ plays as part of weekly preparation.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While the Blue Lagoon—its waters milky with mineral-rich silica—remains the most famous, drawing up to a million visitors a year, smaller, less touristy lagoons have been appearing across the country, from Sky Lagoon on Kársnes Harbour near Reykjavik to Forest Lagoon in Iceland’s far north.
—Rick Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Santa Clara police, who have been drawing up security for 49ers games and other major events since the venue opened in 2014 — and who helped host Super Bowl 50, the stadium’s first NFL championship, in 2016 — have been guarded about releasing even broad security details.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
But drawing up a workable game plan for Jarrett Stidham is right in Sean Payton’s wheelhouse, so don’t count out the Broncos.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
One of them is by drawing up military models to repel a theoretical invasion from the US — the first time in a century that Canadian Armed Forces have done so.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 21, Futurism, 21 Jan. 2026
And McMillan gave them some help with his clipboard and dry-erase marker, too, drawing up a handful of plays that completely negated the Texas defense and allowed the Aggies open looks at the rim.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Ryan was heavily involved with drawing up trick plays for former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and is lauded for his creativity.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Certain assistants are also tasked with drawing up each opponents’ plays as part of weekly preparation.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While the Blue Lagoon—its waters milky with mineral-rich silica—remains the most famous, drawing up to a million visitors a year, smaller, less touristy lagoons have been appearing across the country, from Sky Lagoon on Kársnes Harbour near Reykjavik to Forest Lagoon in Iceland’s far north.
—Rick Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Santa Clara police, who have been drawing up security for 49ers games and other major events since the venue opened in 2014 — and who helped host Super Bowl 50, the stadium’s first NFL championship, in 2016 — have been guarded about releasing even broad security details.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
But drawing up a workable game plan for Jarrett Stidham is right in Sean Payton’s wheelhouse, so don’t count out the Broncos.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
One of them is by drawing up military models to repel a theoretical invasion from the US — the first time in a century that Canadian Armed Forces have done so.
—Joe Wilkins Published Jan 21, Futurism, 21 Jan. 2026
And McMillan gave them some help with his clipboard and dry-erase marker, too, drawing up a handful of plays that completely negated the Texas defense and allowed the Aggies open looks at the rim.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drawing up
Verb
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Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Arizona's prosecution comes shortly after Kalshi filed preemptive civil actions against Utah, Iowa and the Grand Canyon State in hopes of stopping those states from acting against the platform.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An officer wrote a report this week, classifying it as fourth-degree intentional damage to property, after receiving information last month.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
11 Mar. 2026
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The industry says classifying EWA as a loan could have the perverse effect of sending consumers back to higher-cost, risky alternatives such as payday loans or pawn shops by imposing unnecessary restrictions, such as mandatory fees, interest charges and credit reporting requirements.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
These additions suggest the show is preparing to go deeper into the Baroque Works organization, which drove much of Season 2’s plot.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An agreement halting the executions of nine Georgia inmates on death row during the coronavirus pandemic shouldn’t keep them alive anymore, the state’s solicitor general argued Wednesday to the Georgia Supreme Court, the AJC’s Rosie Manins reports.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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The measure halting the gradual raises approved by the City Council in 2023 passed in a 30-to-18 vote, leaving its supporters four aldermen short of the supermajority needed to overturn a Johnson veto.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Throughout the year, guests can partake in flower arranging workshops, cooking classes, tastings, and seminars at the Culinary Academy with Executive Chef Riccardo Bacciottini.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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Madrazo also has great discernment in subtly arranging pictorial props, such as clothing, cards or flowers, that stage his winsome female figures to good effect.—
Benjamin Lima
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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After all, orchestrating pre-arranged scores is far easier than composing original music from scratch.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just weeks after Congress appropriated 2026 funds for NIH, the administration is already stalling their release.—
Jenna Norton,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
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To protect these fragile machines, developers are supposed to invest in expensive battery storage or grid backups, ultimately driving up production costs and stalling the transition to affordable green fuel.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fox News Digital has reached out to Singham and the groups organizing the pro-regime protests.—
Asra Q. Nomani,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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And how some close to him bristled when asked questions about his authoritarian streak and his departure from organizing, distractions that left the union’s power flagging.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drawing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drawing%20up. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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