as in wrought (up)
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as in developed
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 worked up
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Chicago — its fans, its organization and yes, its writers — has clung to that era as tightly as Toews and Kane clung to the Stanley Cup in that famous photo, because there’s been so little else to get worked up about.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
In a throwback to the pandemic, Kuhlman and his colleagues worked up the new program in a matter of days—but Valley View has none of the funding that poured into school districts during the COVID crisis.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked up
Adjective
Washington School House Hotel is located atop Park Avenue, moments from Main Street, and provides complimentary après-ski fare in the living room for outdoor enthusiasts who have worked up an appetite.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Chicago — its fans, its organization and yes, its writers — has clung to that era as tightly as Toews and Kane clung to the Stanley Cup in that famous photo, because there’s been so little else to get worked up about.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Before anyone gets too worked up about his youth, his credentials in Green Bay, Denver and Philadelphia are impeccable.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
In a throwback to the pandemic, Kuhlman and his colleagues worked up the new program in a matter of days—but Valley View has none of the funding that poured into school districts during the COVID crisis.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up
Verb
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Fort Worth is now considering a tax break for Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of sustainable infrastructure company Endeavor, for a data center to be developed on that land.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
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The team at the University of Edinburgh has developed this natural, biological process.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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During a new interview with controversial media pundit Tomi Lahren (below), the former Live With Regis and Kathie Lee and Today morning TV personality said she's fed up with using so many specific characters to describe LGBTQ folks.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
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The disconnect underscores an electorate fed up with both parties but wanting change from the one currently in charge.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even Azerbaijan, a Muslim country neighboring Iran that has forged close ties with Israel, has come under assault.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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Their bond, forged by the exotic nature of their remote landscape, begins to change as Lily enters her teenage years and Bodhi contemplates friendship and family beyond his reptilian counterparts.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Rodin told her, though, that Marum was angry about having been airbrushed out of the picture.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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What’s telling is that Senators owner Michael Andlauer toned down his comments regarding this issue over the past year, as compared to his angry remarks when the original ruling came down.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And that’s the exact advantage Mansfield Summit’s smothering defense created in the Class 5A Division II state championship.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
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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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Tewksbury looks to avenge both the loss to Canton earlier, and an upset state final loss to Boston Latin in 2024.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
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Watching the Chinese Taipei team in tears after an upset win against Korea, and the Japanese fans embracing Czechia’s every grain of success — the moments that made Pool C special were with teams actively growing the game in their country through those brick-by-brick means.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Logan, who worked out on the defensive line Sunday, stood out among all the competitors and was awarded the overall MVP for the camp, which attracted more than 200 athletes to the event.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
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The Mavericks rookie has worked out with Strus during the summer, dating back to his freshman season at Yale.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Shortly after administering the technical to an enraged Self, referee Doug Sirmons hit KU’s coach with another tech, ostensibly for remaining on the court instead of returning to the coach’s box.—
Gary Bedore
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
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Latinx people of conscience recognize our own tios, tias, primos, primas, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the brown faces being livestreamed with blood and agony pouring into enraged mouths asking for help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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