as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
anyone who drums up a better way of doing this tedious task will make a fortune
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Recent Examples of drum up
At a time when theaters are struggling to sell tickets, exhibitors are betting on increasingly elaborate popcorn buckets like the $50 Yoshi container to capitalize on millennial nostalgia, drum up excitement for movies and ultimately increase profits.
—
Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
In June 1992, about 120 people took part in an inaugural trek to help map out the twists and turns of the trail and drum up support for the proposal.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 6 Apr. 2026
The reveal has drummed up a fair amount of cultural discourse.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
In the wake of the Iraq War—when countless media outlets across the United States drummed up fears of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq—Parry wanted to create a more independent news outlet.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drum up
Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
In June 1992, about 120 people took part in an inaugural trek to help map out the twists and turns of the trail and drum up support for the proposal.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 6 Apr. 2026
The reveal has drummed up a fair amount of cultural discourse.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
In the wake of the Iraq War—when countless media outlets across the United States drummed up fears of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq—Parry wanted to create a more independent news outlet.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drum up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drum up
Verb
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Their philosophy from the start was to devise a scheme that could help save Jokic’s legs for playoff basketball.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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The third-year wing said he’s been working closely with Brown to devise methods of vexing Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers’ most dangerous offensive threat.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In a filing with an appeals court, the VA said that, regardless of the court’s injunction, its policy was to construct 750 to 800 units of temporary supportive housing on the campus by September.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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Nearly everyone thought the City of Kansas City had focused on a ballpark being constructed at Washington Square Park.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Investigators believe Simko met one of the suspects at a cannabis festival in Ann Arbor, where the suspects reportedly concocted a plan to set up a fake business deal and steal what officials said was upwards of 50 pounds of marijuana.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Composer Paul has concocted a pastiche of songs forever on the edge of our memories if not our tongues.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Lewis and Clark didn’t invent or even inspire this genre by themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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Jobs certainly didn’t invent MP3 players or internet-capable mobile phones.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drum up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drum%20up. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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