as in wrought (up)
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
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
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
-
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.
-
The longtime Detroiter is fed up – with the lack of police help to find the fraudster, as well as the court system.
Verb
-
Sandler and Kelce developed a friendship after the Chiefs tight end appeared in Happy Gilmore 2.
-
The tool, developed by independent AI engineer Luke Geel, analyzes past results and players’ activity—from posture to blink rate—spotting connections that might be imperceptible to the average viewer but visible to top pros.
Adjective
-
The Commission ultimately left it at 400 feet, prompting an intense reaction from the angry crowd.
-
Some of the women who were angry contacted the SFMOMA not simply to share feedback, but to try to ensure Bahr could never work with the institution again.
Verb
-
The two previously forged a bond while spending time together in London during the pandemic in 2020.
-
So Continental Army leadership forged ahead on the last, short, dark day of 1775.
Adjective
-
Play was held up after some upset fans threw things onto the field after the controversial offside call.
-
Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset.
Verb
-
Colombia was lively from the off, but Portugal eventually settled into the game and created its own chances.
-
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
Adjective
-
Rob-Will’s enraged face as Beulah told him what the situation actually is was pretty amazing.
-
Massive, lumpy-looking hippos, who prefer to wallow or swim slowly in water pools, lakes, and rivers can run as fast as 25 km/h (about 70 meters in 10 seconds), a respectable sprinting speed not to be matched by most adults trying to outrun an enraged animal.
Verb
-
Saša Pekeč, a professor of business administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, compares it to the early days of ridesharing apps, which were banned in some cities while regulations were still being worked out.
-
Design elements are still being worked out, the spokeswoman added.
Cite this Entry
“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
