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
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Recent Examples of work up
Results showed that semaglutide cut heavy drinking days by about 41% after patients worked up to the full weekly dose compared to 26% for those taking the placebo, according to the study published Thursday in The Lancet.
—
Dr. Grace Hagan, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
During the academic school year, younger teens can work up to three hours per school day after class or eight hours on days when class is not in session, with a maximum of 18 work hours per week.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for work up
Dr. Grace Hagan, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
During the academic school year, younger teens can work up to three hours per school day after class or eight hours on days when class is not in session, with a maximum of 18 work hours per week.
—Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Southport, according to its web site, has developed more than 100 affordable and workforce properties nationally since its founding in 1995.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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As the lake was developed, so was the property.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Applied Intuition also acquired EpiSci last year to integrate its tactical AI, and forged an alliance with defense business SNC to fast-track autonomy on the battlefield.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
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That laboratory forged a generation of key industry people, including Renzo Rosso, Claudio Buziol, Enzo Fusco, Katahrine Hamnett, Betsey Johnson and many others.—
Maria Cristina Pavarini,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Wilson worked alongside stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn and the Oscar de la Renta team to create a custom gown featuring tiny Japanese cherry blossoms around the neckline and scattered throughout the design, according to Vogue.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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On the planet, the Mandalorians encounter Gideon, who is revealed to have created clones of himself.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The clubhouse restaurant was still closed in February, but Wright said a contract was being worked out with a vendor.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
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Samms spoke to Andrew Bolton, head curator at the Met’s Costume Institute to work out terms for the purchase, but the negotiations fell through.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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