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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Recent Examples of work up
Guerrero, who is in the concussion protocol, warmed up before Saturday’s game to work up a sweat and get some contact.
—
John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
In a throwback to the pandemic, Kuhlman and his colleagues worked up the new program in a matter of days—but Valley View has none of the funding that poured into school districts during the COVID crisis.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
Why are people worked up about Nipah virus?
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
The whole episode works up to Dorit and Amanda’s confrontation at Dorit and Erika’s birthday dinner.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
In a throwback to the pandemic, Kuhlman and his colleagues worked up the new program in a matter of days—but Valley View has none of the funding that poured into school districts during the COVID crisis.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
Why are people worked up about Nipah virus?
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
The whole episode works up to Dorit and Amanda’s confrontation at Dorit and Erika’s birthday dinner.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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This is a developing story and will be updated.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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To counter this, the Janus Program aims to develop the capability to rapidly deploy nuclear reactors where needed for both military and disaster-relief applications.—
David Szondy
February 21,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many were hoping the summit could help forge a credible path for middle powers to shape the AI era and ensure that the technology’s benefits aren’t concentrated among a handful of American and Chinese companies.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accelerated his global diplomatic push, forging new trade agreements amid global upheaval.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hotelier Jack Parker acquired the property two decades ago, bringing in Adler to create the Parker’s signature style that remains today.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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In theory, energetic particles pass through such thin sheets without creating the kinds of defects that typically cripple conventional silicon chips.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That works out to roughly three to four condoms per athlete — and the Games were still ongoing when the shortage was reported.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
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Taken together, all this means that curlers spend hours between matches meeting with teammates to discuss strategy, working out team conflicts, seeing physiotherapists, refueling and psyching themselves up for the next match.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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