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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
Beyond that the plan is to steadily work up to 80 or 90 pitches before making a return to the big league roster.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
When school is out, those children can work up to eight hours a day for a total of no more than 40 hours a week.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Having food with capsaicin increases tolerance, so people can gradually work up to spicier peppers—which may provide more benefits.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 17 June 2025
Under Boulos’s direction, State Department diplomats have been working up a deal, and its contours have emerged: Rwanda would have to withdraw its troops from Congo completely while the M23 would withdraw to a small area north of Goma.
—Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
When school is out, those children can work up to eight hours a day for a total of no more than 40 hours a week.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Having food with capsaicin increases tolerance, so people can gradually work up to spicier peppers—which may provide more benefits.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 17 June 2025
Under Boulos’s direction, State Department diplomats have been working up a deal, and its contours have emerged: Rwanda would have to withdraw its troops from Congo completely while the M23 would withdraw to a small area north of Goma.
—Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
-
But while Sunday’s race will be a special landmark for Silverstone, reaping the rewards of F1’s popularity boom and its work to develop in recent years, the track’s focus lies on the future.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
As a result, Tehran has tried to balance Chinese influence by maintaining strong ties to India, Beijing’s chief rival within the developing world.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Those helming businesses are required to make a crucial call about staying the course amid uncertainty or forging a brave, new path.—
Naazneen Karmali,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Combs founded Bad Boy Records in 1993 and forged a roster of stars that jettisoned hip-hop into the mainstream, including the late Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Faith Evans and the groups 112 and Total, among others.—
Curtis Bunn,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
The idea, in both cases, is to create revenue by taxing rich people and use the money to pay for other initiatives.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is creating a new business incubator program with a $100,000 grant from Main Street America.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
If not, being left out worked out pretty well for Lindor last season.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
-
Things usually work out — however, the SHARAD instrument has always been at a disadvantage.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share