vamp (up)

verb

Definition of vamp (up)next
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination political spin doctors who can vamp up a justification for just about anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vamp (up)
  1. devise
  2. construct
  3. concoct
  4. invent
  5. drum up
Verb
  • Sarah Sherman Samuel is known for devising furniture worthy of an art show, and the Lulu and Georgia Hamilton sideboard is no exception.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026
  • Many believe Newton was the lone genius who devised this branch of mathematics all on his own.
    — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Definition of devise
Verb
  • Buildings had been constructed between the mountains and the sea.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Separate projects like the Kansas Speedway, the Legends outlet mall and Sporting KC’s stadium were also constructed using STAR bond dollars.
    — Sofi Zeman July 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of construct
Verb
  • Ghost also accused Wilson and her PR team of concocting a smear campaign against her.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
  • Tran says the hairstyle was concocted with Liu's outfit in mind, not to mention her overall vibe.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 16 July 2026
Definition of concoct
Verb
  • Skubal’s energy and edge are tools, sharpened over the years and ready to deploy against slights real or invented.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The ingenious Professor Farnsworth invents a machine that can swap the minds of two people.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 July 2026
Definition of invent
Verb
  • 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
  • Though for the past few months Musk has fought like a combatant in the Trojan War to drum up controversy over Nolan’s film, his efforts have failed spectacularly.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026
Definition of drum up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

vamps (up)
vamp (up)
vampy
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Cite this Entry

“Vamp (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vamp%20%28up%29. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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