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
From the open expanses of the Lake District to the rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands via Wales’s peaks, there is no shortage of places to work up a sweat, al fresco, across the UK.
—
Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Some work up to 12 hours, like Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
More experienced runners can gradually increase the running intervals, working up to four or six minutes of running with a one-minute walk break.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
A day out in Mother Nature will work up your appetite, and aprés snacks can only get you so far.
—Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Some work up to 12 hours, like Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
More experienced runners can gradually increase the running intervals, working up to four or six minutes of running with a one-minute walk break.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
A day out in Mother Nature will work up your appetite, and aprés snacks can only get you so far.
—Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Far more infants given Mead Johnson’s product developed a buildup of acid in the blood called metabolic acidosis than those fed Abbott’s product — 19 versus four, according to results published in the journal PharmacoEconomics.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For example, a Republican Party activist in The Villages in Central Florida was charged in 2023 with forging his father’s signature on a mail ballot in the 2020 election after his father had died.—
ORLANDO SENTINEL AND MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL BOARDS,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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Faced with being iced out by its biggest trading partner, Canada has since forged strategic partnerships with countries across the globe, including China, much to Trump’s chagrin.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
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Blowing up buildings doesn’t help build a mass movement or create momentum for lasting change.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then the House met briefly without taking up the bipartisan Senate plan that had been worked out with Democrats, though Thune is looking toward eventual passage.—
Kevin Freking,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Throughout the show, Ye worked out his stage hiccups in real time without launching into a tirade.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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