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
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
By the end of the photo shoot, the hunting party had worked up an appetite.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
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
Why are people worked up about Nipah virus?
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
By the end of the photo shoot, the hunting party had worked up an appetite.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worked up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up
Verb
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed an ultra-stretchable material that repels nearly any liquid and holds up under extreme deformation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Freret is one of three krewes throwing biodegradable beads developed at Louisiana State University.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Americans got fed up with former President Joe Biden gaslighting them.—
Erick Erickson,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
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They are fed up with all of this.—
David Unsworth,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These transgressions had gone down famously well, but Tomlinson was still, in some ways, working through the emotional fallout of a conservative-Christian upbringing and a career forged in the parallel universe of the Christian comedy circuit.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
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Much of that was forged alongside Serena, the winningest women’s player ever with 23 grand slam singles titles who may also be contemplating her own return to tennis.—
Jay Plotkin,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, members of Congress are likely to face some angry, dissatisfied voters — with the year’s first major primary day fast approaching on March 3.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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But the attempt at humor didn’t satisfy some angry fans who believe Mets President David Stearns swindled Getz in a trade that essentially was a salary dump.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Game and Fish Commission created the structures from hundreds of invasive red cedars cut from Lake Ouachita's shoreline.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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SpaceX said on its launch page that residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties might experience one or more sonic booms during the launch, a phenomenon that has long upset residents and raised concerns about the booms’ effect on nearby endangered species.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Littler added that his girlfriend would often get upset when her father talked about owning a gun.—
Saul Pink,
San Antonio Express-News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 5-foot-5 de Oliveira, who worked out mostly at receiver Saturday, showed adept ball skills catching the football and her quick feet presented a challenge for defensive backs trying to cover her routes.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
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While Minnesota was hot from deep, the tactic worked out in the end Sunday.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, her direct and outspoken approach has also led to controversy, with enraged officials in Honduras once wanting to declare her persona non grata.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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And why did that treatment — at least initially — leave Zverev so enraged?—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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