VAMP UP Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

vamp (up)

verb

Definition of vamp (up)

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vamp (up)

Verb

After two months, the parties could reassess Hamas’s behavior and devise a more durable mechanism for delivering aid.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Determined to win her back, Ralph devises a crazy plan involving kidnapping the former child star of his favorite Christmas movie.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of devise

Verb

The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Knight said the First Baptist Church roots began in the mid-18th century, and the current building was constructed in 1846.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of construct

Verb

Yaga concocts one entertainingly heady brew, thanks to its beguiling mood and fearless cast.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
He was cleared of that, but then fell out with a friend who had helped concoct his alibi in the libel case, and was charged with perjury.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of concoct

Verb

Neil and Brenda met just days after Neil invented his time machine, which proved to be a handy access pass.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Claude invented that reference while presenting itself as someone who might have witnessed something relevant to the investigation.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of invent

Verb

The show is part of MIA Market‘s GreenLit showcase in Rome this week, which will have drummed up interest.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
George was headed for a modest, quiet patch of the Midwest, plus his big sister, Louise, who recently relocated to the small town of Benton, Illinois, was eager to drum up publicity for her brother’s band.

— Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vamp (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vamp%20%28up%29. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of vamp (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

asunder

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes