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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work up
For years, corrections officers at Louisville’s jail have consistently worked up to 16 hours of overtime each week due to staff shortages.
—
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
In order to support his daughter’s endeavors, Richard usually worked up to 30 hours of overtime.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
Choose understandable, specific language to engender trust and work up momentum.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
Hike just enough of it to work up an appetite.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
In order to support his daughter’s endeavors, Richard usually worked up to 30 hours of overtime.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
Choose understandable, specific language to engender trust and work up momentum.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
Hike just enough of it to work up an appetite.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Researchers developed a new approach, the constant inner potential density functional theory, which enables the inclusion of the electrode potential in the simulation of semiconductor electrochemistry.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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While other forwards struggled to develop synergy with new linemates, Cowan made chemistry with those around him look easy.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors said Richins was in dire financial straits and having an extramarital affair, leading her to forge life insurance documents and to eventually kill her husband.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
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Clients include pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who has forged a sizable following on YouTube, as well as Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends, Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, and Derek Jeter’s Cap 2 Productions.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The preponderance of patients paying out of pocket for these products is actually creating this dynamic where the companies are lowering their list price to compete for cash-paying customers.—
CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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The controversial Crowsnest annexation petition in Castle Pines has been withdrawn by the developer, as Castle Pines prepares to consider creating an annexation policy.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Allen didn’t work out at the combine or his Pro Day.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Meta’s bets on VR software haven’t worked out very well; the company recently laid off about 10 percent of its Reality Labs division, closed three VR studios, stopped new content for VR fitness app Supernatural, and discontinued its metaverse for work.—
Jay Peters,
The Verge,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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