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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Recent Examples of drummed up
Fits in regards to role and skillset are questioned on every roster and trade ideas are drummed up for solutions to problems that may not even necessarily exist.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
The new podcast category drummed up minor controversy with the revelation that Luminate would narrow down the list of eligible podcasts to 25.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Natalie Burk drummed up 19 points to get Salem (12-7) to the finals of the Kell Classic in Swifton.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
This seems like something drummed up by producers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The Red Rocketeers drummed up the perfect response with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
These are not fantasies drummed up by the Left despite claims from Paxton and his most ardent supporters.
—Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
The new podcast category drummed up minor controversy with the revelation that Luminate would narrow down the list of eligible podcasts to 25.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Natalie Burk drummed up 19 points to get Salem (12-7) to the finals of the Kell Classic in Swifton.
—Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
This seems like something drummed up by producers.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
The Red Rocketeers drummed up the perfect response with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
These are not fantasies drummed up by the Left despite claims from Paxton and his most ardent supporters.
—Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drummed up
Verb
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Outside of the theory itself being devised by conscious humans using their brains, there’s scant reason to think so.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
13 Jan. 2026
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Trump has instead engaged in a clumsy cover-up, insisting that the files are both a fantastical hoax devised by his enemies and also too boring to even merit discussion.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In exchange for not being charged with a DUI, the family’s lawyer concocted a deal in which Skakel was sent to the controversial Élan School in Maine in an effort to correct his unruly behavior.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
7 Dec. 2025
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Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report concocted this trade idea that sees the Lakers land and shore up both their frontcourt and backcourt, the Dallas Mavericks duo of former All-Star Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The wide-leg pants in this matching set are high-waisted with an elastic drawstring waistband for comfort, and are constructed with two side pockets for storage.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Gothic architecture, on the other hand, focused on height and light; despite being constructed from heavy stone, Gothic cathedrals seem to defy the laws of gravity.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Architectural Digest,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Is this new cookie a tribute to William Dreyer, who is rumored to have invented Rocky Road in Oakland back in 1929?—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
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And the telephone had just been invented that year, so few could call the Chicago Tribune and complain about not having the Cubs score in their edition.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drummed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drummed%20up. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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