WORKUP Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

work up

verb

Definition of work up

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of work up He feels emotionally ambushed, and what plays out is as if Marriage Story were an absolute chucklefest, as Lestat gets increasingly worked up and jealous over Louis’s relationships with other men. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 June 2026 Church’s numinous-sun-over-still-water routine had begun to look a bit like a shtick, equally applicable to scenes of the Hudson or those worked up from 20-year-old sketches of South America. — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 Stroll on the Eastern Promenade to work up an appetite and take in views of Casco Bay. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026 These surveys drop a lot of hard, time-consuming work up front. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for work up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up

Verb

Chinese brands were able to capitalize on high demand this year, especially in Europe, thanks to flexible supply chains that can rapidly develop new, localized products.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
At the same time, the Navy keeps developing the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine to replace the aging Ohio-class nuclear deterrent fleet.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

Definition of develop

Verb

With a spotlight on youth sports nationwide, many young athletes forge their identity around sports and dedicate a large portion of their free time to improvement.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
While some have cut off all contact with their families, others have forged fragile paths towards reconciliation.

— Michael-Oliver Harding, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of forge

Verb

The letter argues that openness prevents lock-in and that concentrating capability creates single points of failure.

— Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
But legal reforms have also made a huge difference, creating safety nets for women who previously had to depend on their husbands’ livelihoods.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of create

Verb

When second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton was being carted off the field Thursday, Gill was working out on his own following a standout season in the United Football League.

— Mike Kaye July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
Higuchi was already at home in this rubbery soundworld, but his determination to work out his own feelings in this already frenzied context pushes his music past the cartoonish and into the truly demonic.

— Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026

Definition of work out

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works up

work up

workwoman

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“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of work up

verb

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