as in wrought (up)
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as in developed
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worked up
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Chicago — its fans, its organization and yes, its writers — has clung to that era as tightly as Toews and Kane clung to the Stanley Cup in that famous photo, because there’s been so little else to get worked up about.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
Before anyone gets too worked up about his youth, his credentials in Green Bay, Denver and Philadelphia are impeccable.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked up
Adjective
Washington School House Hotel is located atop Park Avenue, moments from Main Street, and provides complimentary après-ski fare in the living room for outdoor enthusiasts who have worked up an appetite.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Chicago — its fans, its organization and yes, its writers — has clung to that era as tightly as Toews and Kane clung to the Stanley Cup in that famous photo, because there’s been so little else to get worked up about.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
In order to support his daughter’s endeavors, Richard usually worked up to 30 hours of overtime.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
Before anyone gets too worked up about his youth, his credentials in Green Bay, Denver and Philadelphia are impeccable.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 18, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worked up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up
Verb
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Others said the absence of structured computer classes has left students without a foundation that earlier generations developed through formal instruction.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed and produced by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, became operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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People fed up with rolling blackouts have staged sporadic protests in recent days, banging pots and shouting slogans against the government, rare demonstrations in a country known for repressing dissent.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2026
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Consumers are fed up, and raising prices is a nonstarter for America’s retailers.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The state and the economic alliance forged ahead, the development letter of intent transferring to Sandisk after Western Digital spun it into a separate public company.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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But the friendship was really forged during the pandemic season of Summer House.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That was the result of angry partisans taking seriously Trump’s bogus election-fraud claims.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
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House Republicans are angry that the bill passed early Friday by the Senate does not fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 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,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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In the video of the altercation, which was broken into clips and cross-posted across social media platforms, Peters and the woman are hanging out when Lentz arrives, upset.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After all, everything has worked out so far.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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But her response, in my opinion, reaffirmed that Richardson simply hasn’t worked out in Indy, and a change of scenery is likely a formality.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Shortly after administering the technical to an enraged Self, referee Doug Sirmons hit KU’s coach with another tech, ostensibly for remaining on the court instead of returning to the coach’s box.—
Gary Bedore
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
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Latinx people of conscience recognize our own tios, tias, primos, primas, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the brown faces being livestreamed with blood and agony pouring into enraged mouths asking for help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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