worked up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of worked upnext
as in wrought (up)

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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
  1. fed up
  2. developed
  3. angry
  4. forged
  5. upset
  6. created
  7. enraged
  8. worked out
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Rogen and Nanjiani manage to steal multiple scenes as the voices of the ladies’ cats Dio and GG, two sarcastic felines who are fed up with their burnout owners.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Users appear to be fed up with feeling like the burden of that distinction should come from them when AI companies are playing such a vital role in pumping out low quality work en masse.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fed up
Verb
  • Sabio said the proposals were developed through conversations with residents rather than solely by his campaign.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel itself was built in 1913 when the neighborhood was being developed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of developed
Adjective
  • Thrillers like 1990's Hunt for Red October and similar fare make submarine hunting look like the most exciting thing this side of pulling a nose hair out of an angry grizzly bear, but the reality is entirely different.
    — David Szondy August 12, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Many Democrats, especially younger ones, are angry at Israel over Gaza.
    — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of angry
Verb
  • Through its correspondence course, OBOD extended its influence internationally and by the early 21st century had forged the most popular model for Druids throughout the world.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But with that connection to Jack, initially forged as foster siblings but later as opioid buddies, comes risk.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of forged
Adjective
  • Once the veteran players and most of the top seeds vanished from the Canadian Open, succumbing to injury and upset, the stakes of the tournament in Montreal took on a new edge.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Council member Chris Whatley said the entire council has been upset about the news of a data center, and vowed to do everything in his official capacity to protect Keller residents.
    — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • Amaya joined DePaul in October 2022 and, according to her lawsuit, created and oversaw the athletic department’s mental health education programming.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the loudest opposing voices are creatives, who see the products being created by AI companies as something threatening to their own practice and to the world at-large.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of created
Adjective
  • Imagine the ripe smell of swamp-wet dogs, the acrid stench of overheated, enraged bear, the slippery warm blood of pack members already lost; the simply insufferable noise and confusion in that dank little hole.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As a consequence, Nadia’s enraged sponsors send her packing back to Europe.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of enraged
Verb
  • Only Faal, currently out on loan at Port Vale of League Two, among Wrexham’s six deadline-day signings in the past three summer windows can be said not to have worked out, suggesting patience is usually rewarded at this time of year.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Kodai Senga worked out of a two-out, two-on jam in the ninth, striking out Abimelec Ortiz to record his second save.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of worked out

Browse Nearby Words

worked over
worked up
worker
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Cite this Entry

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

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