drum up

verb

drummed up; drumming up; drums up

transitive verb

1

: to bring about by persistent effort

drum up some business

2

: invent, originate

drum up a new method

Synonyms

• devise
• construct
• concoct
• invent

Examples of drum up in a Sentence

anyone who drums up a better way of doing this tedious task will make a fortune

Recent Examples on the Web

Bruce Springsteen’s 2025 has been filled with exciting moments — from continuing his global tour to drumming up headlines with rebukes made toward President Trump – and new music. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The tie-up comes at a pivotal moment for U.S. soccer as fans look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, which takes place next summer in North America and is expected to drum up new U.S. fans for the global sport. —Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 29 July 2025

And the other pulls her in the opposite direction — inwards into her own head where anxiety is just waiting to regale her with all the worst case scenarios it's drummed up while she's been out being a famous comedian. —Rachel Martin, NPR, 24 July 2025

Just a quick scroll through the retailer's clearance drums up major brands like Altra, Osprey, Patagonia, and more. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drum up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup