DRUMMED UP Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

drummed up

verb

past tense of drum up

as in devised

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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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 drummed up The outbreak was largely fueled by a swell of vaccine hesitancy, drummed up by anti-vaccine activists. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 But the pardon wouldn’t protect him from a state prosecution or from any perjury charge that could be drummed up from his testimony now. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 And for all of the outrage Musk has drummed up around The Odyssey, the film has not notably suffered at the box office at all. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 While widely embraced by the comedy community as an effort to elevate a new generation of comedy stars at a time when comedy talent incubation has been deprioritized, the show has also drummed up huge viewership. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 July 2026 May-Tove Smiseth, an archaeologist and adviser on the Innlandet County Council, said the treasure has drummed up excitement in the archaeological community. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Organizations like the Camden County chapter of the NAACP and the ACLU-NJ drummed up attention to these figures by issuing announcements and press briefings. — John A. Shjarback, Washington Post, 23 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drummed up

Verb

Costume designer Colleen Atwood devised the ensemble, while Ed Cubberly created the famous fiberglass muzzle, deliberately leaving it uncoated to evoke the look of dried, taut skin.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
However, a potential workaround for this was famously devised in 1994 by physicist Miguel Alcubierre, who argued that rather than using a propulsion system to accelerate the spacecraft itself, spacetime could be distorted around it.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of devised

Verb

Martha’s concocted plenty over the years, including her cider-bourbon cocktail made with apple cider, bourbon, lemon juice, ginger, and apple garnishes.

— Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026
The young lady had specially flown in from New York and Alan had concocted a piece of simple blackmail.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of concocted

Verb

Within two years, an ingenious tunnel complex was constructed, with arched ceilings and thick walls, and zigzag subterranean pathways to better absorb bomb blasts.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
And unlike other utensils with plastic or silicone handles, each tool is constructed entirely from stainless steel with an ergonomic grip.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of constructed

Verb

Motorola invented the mobile phone, but by the time Brown was handed the reins, its cellphone business had been outpaced by Nokia and Samsung.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
At 21-Across, the [American architect who invented Scrabble while unemployed during the Great Depression] is ALFRED BUTTS.

— New York Times, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of invented

Browse Nearby Words

drummed (out)

drummed up

drummer

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“Drummed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drummed%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of drummed up

verb

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