as in spending
to make complete use of
we used up the last of the flour when we made the waffles
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 using up
Besides using up your surfeit of squash, this recipe will even satisfy the kids.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This single observation suggests that, during strong wind conditions, each rotor would contribute about 1 MW of propulsion, even when using up its own 20 kW of spinning power.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Roskopf, however, countered that data centers don’t provide significant jobs, but only provide an additional tax base while using up resources.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Breakfast Burritos The most flexible breakfast on this list and one of the best for using up what is already in the fridge.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Data centers have faced increasing criticism for using up water and power, adding to the already-existing strain on those resources.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Mar. 2026
As gravity pulls this gas together, new stars ignite — gradually using up all the galaxy's star-forming fuel.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The United States, Israel, and their Gulf allies are using up scarce and costly munitions at an astounding rate.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Additionally, fears exist that the three-way primary could be using up financial resources the party could need in the general election later this year.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Feb. 2026
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
This single observation suggests that, during strong wind conditions, each rotor would contribute about 1 MW of propulsion, even when using up its own 20 kW of spinning power.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Roskopf, however, countered that data centers don’t provide significant jobs, but only provide an additional tax base while using up resources.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Breakfast Burritos The most flexible breakfast on this list and one of the best for using up what is already in the fridge.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Data centers have faced increasing criticism for using up water and power, adding to the already-existing strain on those resources.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Mar. 2026
As gravity pulls this gas together, new stars ignite — gradually using up all the galaxy's star-forming fuel.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026
The United States, Israel, and their Gulf allies are using up scarce and costly munitions at an astounding rate.
—Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Additionally, fears exist that the three-way primary could be using up financial resources the party could need in the general election later this year.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for using up
Verb
-
The idea to create a docu-fiction where a character is inserted into real-life environments to interact with unsuspecting locals came to Ribeiro after spending long periods of time in El Paso as a journalist covering immigration.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
The bottom line As gorgeous as these phones are, that alone cannot justify spending a ton of money on them.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
As these energy-saving bulbs became cheaper and more efficient, societies found more occasions for lighting rather than simply consuming less electricity.—
Christopher Marquis,
Time,
30 May 2026
-
With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, top oil-consuming countries have been rapidly draining their reserves, helping keep crude prices in check.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Tuning out your own life is so much easier when something juicier is playing out on TV.—
Samantha Sasso,
Vulture,
22 May 2026
-
This is playing out in private markets as companies raise historic amounts of money, with historically small teams, and enjoy historic growth.—
Martin Casado,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
All this self-agonizing left the rest of the cast and crew waiting around for hours, their goodwill draining away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
To save space, grow several shade-tolerant herbs together in a large container (such as a half whiskey barrel) with some well-draining potting mix.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Sliding effortlessly from incisive observer to chaotic flirt to exhausting narcissist, Firstman is never not in on the joke.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
-
Martinez on Thursday did not discuss details of the plan but said the city was exhausting all its options while seeking more ways to cut costs.—
Abby Church,
Houston Chronicle,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The current equilibrium is being maintained by drawing down resources that cannot be replenished quickly.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
The International Energy Agency warned the world is drawing down oil inventories at a record pace, with 164 million barrels released by governments and industry as of May 8.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The reforms would also require some facilities to assess the feasibility of using safer technologies or processes in their work, among other changes.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Zeferjahn had struggled earlier in the season, when the Angels were using him for multiple innings.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
But after years of record investment by the state in such wildfire risk mitigation, two key money sources are drying up, potentially reducing the state’s annual budget for vegetation removal by hundreds of millions of dollars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Although reducing carbon pollution, which stays in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, is key to tackling the climate crisis, slashing methane has been seen as something of a low-hanging fruit.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Using up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/using%20up. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
