as in to develop
to produce or bring about especially by long or repeated effort
spent years working up a period novel that was historically accurate in every detail
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work up
Makeup patted him down—he’d worked up a coat of sweat during the setup—and powdered him up; the costumer threw his shirt on him.
—
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
While Korean labor law dictates that workers can work a maximum of 52 hours per week, medical interns and residents can legally work up to 88 hours per week and up to 36-hour shifts.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
To enable this feature: Open the Control Center on your iPhone (usually accessed by swiping down on your phone’s screen)
Tap the Hearing icon
Tap Live Listen
Place the iPhone near the sound source (works up to 50 feet)
AIRPODS PRO 2 VS.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
As the young man became increasingly worked up to the point of tears, his dad offered to take him to Taco Bell to talk things over, since his son had promised to be honest about the situation.
—Christian Dashiell, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
While Korean labor law dictates that workers can work a maximum of 52 hours per week, medical interns and residents can legally work up to 88 hours per week and up to 36-hour shifts.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
To enable this feature: Open the Control Center on your iPhone (usually accessed by swiping down on your phone’s screen)
Tap the Hearing icon
Tap Live Listen
Place the iPhone near the sound source (works up to 50 feet)
AIRPODS PRO 2 VS.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
As the young man became increasingly worked up to the point of tears, his dad offered to take him to Taco Bell to talk things over, since his son had promised to be honest about the situation.
—Christian Dashiell, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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The project, which includes a five-star hotel and a residential estate, was developed by a company linked to Prayudh’s PM Group.—
Phisanu Phromchanya,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Editor's Note: This recipe was developed by Nicole Hopper; the headnote was written by Kimberly Holland.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Trump could be the right leader to forge compromise.—
J. Tedford Tyler,
Time,
17 May 2025
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Reflecting on their experience in Houston, the Aluminum Narwhals cherished the competition, forging new connections, making quick decisions, and strengthening team bonds.—
Claire Lin And Kyle Vu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The proprietary process recovers up to 98 percent of critical metals while minimizing contaminants, creating a ready feedstock for downstream refiners.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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Especially because the way it was created was just a Hail Mary.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Further details are set to be worked out in the coming weeks.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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After all, isn't hotness the reason most people work out?—
Mara Gordon,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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