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
Only his changeup has significant horizontal movement, with the righty largely working up and down to fool batters.
—
Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Two years later — after moving out of the house and into the garage — Ellie is working up the nerve to tackle her issue with Joel head-on.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
Related article Falling asleep to your favorite show doesn’t have to ruin your sleep, experts say
Your problem-solving, listening and reasoning skills, which are all necessary for effective communication, can take a hit too, especially if you’re really worked up.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Part of the audition process assigned singers to work up cover versions as a group.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Two years later — after moving out of the house and into the garage — Ellie is working up the nerve to tackle her issue with Joel head-on.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
Related article Falling asleep to your favorite show doesn’t have to ruin your sleep, experts say
Your problem-solving, listening and reasoning skills, which are all necessary for effective communication, can take a hit too, especially if you’re really worked up.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Part of the audition process assigned singers to work up cover versions as a group.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Treat the customer relationship as a partnership, too, staying in active conversations about their needs and developing and launching tools and solutions to solve tactical, practical business problems.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Founder’s Block Chardonnay Photo : Scott Semler Situated in the Russian River Valley’s Chalk Hill region, this 1,500-acre estate of the same name is planted with a one-of-a-kind proprietary Chardonnay clone developed in partnership with U.C. Davis’s esteemed viticulture and enology department.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
Verb
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That perspective, forged through experience and gratitude, keeps him grounded when the stakes feel highest.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Also, Leos are known to forge their path — closely resembling Mikey‘s use of One-Eyed Willy’s map to search for the Liberator’s treasure.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
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Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2025
Verb
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What that era taught me was to just trust myself, and trust that everything is going to work out the way it’s supposed to, and trust that relationships are put into your life for a reason.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2025
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The threesome also works out together, and surfs — or at least, Callum and Gruber do.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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