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
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 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
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 worked up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up
Adjective
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Robinson wasn't the only Knick who seemed fed up with Wembanyama.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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Kathy Griffin is fed up with the man show on display over on Adam Carolla's podcast, thank you very much!—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 June 2026
Verb
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But after months of acrimony, the two have developed a surprisingly friendly public relationship despite maintaining deep ideological differences.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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Rebekah and their four children never developed symptoms.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Texts, screen grabs, recordings and other records recovered from a search of Rinderknecht’s cellphones portray a man who was by turns lonely and livid, angry at billionaires and ex-romantic partners while seemingly scared about his own declining mental health.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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So that prompted protests and disturbances in Southampton, and a huge, angry reaction from the far right, both within Britain and internationally.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Born in New York to Nigerian parents, Folarin Balogun speaks with a British accent, courtesy of a childhood largely forged in England.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Her tolerance for the job was forged early by starting out as a child actor at age 11.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Their 1-0 win over England on June 29, 1950, in Brazil is considered the biggest upset in World Cup history.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Golden State won in overtime, and Cleveland’s upset chances fizzled almost immediately.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
12 June 2026
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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
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The dam is one of three that created the boating and fishing lake in the early 1900s.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Matt Riddle took the opportunity before an enraged Alex Hammerstone could make his mark.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Pratt became enraged at the city’s leadership, accusing Bass of negligence.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Verb
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And Dolan’s input was a part of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau and go down the circuitous path that brought Mike Brown to their sidelines, and that, too, worked out.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The moves worked out just fine for Yildiz, who’s responsible for three goals during the nation’s World Cup qualifying campaign.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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