WORKED UP Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

worked up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of worked up

as in wrought (up)

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

worked up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of work up

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of 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

Putting words on the page seems too low stakes to get worked up about, and yet the terror of saying something taboo—or just being boring—feels like a terrible fate to most writers. — David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 Thou shalt not get too worked up about the chat! — Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for worked up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up

Adjective

Nate becomes fed up with his girlfriend’s workaholic lifestyle because of her demanding boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), and years later fans would go on to view Nate — not Miranda — as the real villain of the film.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
After clearing logjams in the White House and House of Representatives, the legislation drew broad support in an election year where both parties are increasingly aware that voters have said they're fed up with the high cost of living.

— Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Definition of fed up

Verb

Ukraine’s military and civil society have become the experts among Western allies, while Russia and Iran have developed their own capabilities.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The organization had developed language almost twenty years earlier opposing the academic boycott of Israel, making PEN America the only PEN chapter to have a policy opposing a vital form of political expression.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of developed

Adjective

Around the world, angry locals displaced from their neighborhoods by the high cost of living are revolting against the $135 billion short-term rental industry.

— Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
In person, the range-topping Spider looks hilariously boxy up front, deliciously wedgy from the side, and surprisingly angry from the back.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026

Definition of angry

Verb

After Bruneau refused, Thelma allegedly forged her signature on the insurance paperwork following her death, Star-Telegram and WFAA reported.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
After the homicide, investigators learned that Brown’s wife forged Bruneau’s signature on the paperwork, the affidavit states.

— Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Definition of forged

Adjective

After nearly losing, in what would have been a Cinderella upset, to a completely unheralded Cabo Verde, Argentina benefitted from questionable refereeing decisions in subsequent victories over Egypt and Switzerland.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
Some Carowinds visitors were upset the park did not announce the roller coaster was closed sooner.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Definition of upset

Verb

Undrafted rookie Cash Jones created some buzz at the beginning of OTAs after rookie minicamp revealed the Falcons are cross-training Jones, a college running back at Georgia, as a receiver.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
This tour will be key in terms of enhancing existing relationships and trying to attract new business, especially off the back of the buzz created by the World Cup in the States.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of created

Adjective

At the same time, locals became enraged with both the aesthetic of the homes and the business practices of the developers as the town began to take shape.

— Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
Beach removed the Knee Defender, but then became enraged when the woman reclined forcefully, risking damage to his computer.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Definition of enraged

Verb

The average 8% increase worked out to approximately 62 cents more per item, according to Mickey Visit.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
Gotta hand it to Odysseus — having a bunch of soldiers hide inside a giant horse to infiltrate Troy worked out beautifully.

— Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Definition of worked out

Browse Nearby Words

worked over

worked up

worker

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of worked up

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

maverick

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes