as in developing
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
Relevance
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 working up
Some have already talked to a parent; others are working up the nerve.
—
Carolyn O'Laughlin,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
While working up the nerve to kill her, Loftis discovers that Ruth is secretly the mother of his late wife Lauren (Meredith Casey), making his son Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick) the final descendant.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
The other two are still working up to it, but the team isn't going anywhere.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Starting from bottom of bowl and working up, mix with your hands (like tossing a salad) until mixture starts to look dry again.
—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
Opt for lower concentrations (think 5–10% instead of 15–20%) and ease in gradually, starting a few times a week before working up to daily use.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 May 2026
Hope is getting dirty, working up a sweat and seeing action.
—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
In the early 1990s, Porsche quietly began work on a V-10 engine for Formula 1; when that fell through, the idea sat on the shelf until the company began working up plans for a new Le Mans racer towards the end of the decade.
—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
All of this adds up to a more comfortable base for visitors to return to after working up a sweat under the desert sun.
—
Mark Johanson,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Carolyn O'Laughlin,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
While working up the nerve to kill her, Loftis discovers that Ruth is secretly the mother of his late wife Lauren (Meredith Casey), making his son Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick) the final descendant.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
The other two are still working up to it, but the team isn't going anywhere.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Starting from bottom of bowl and working up, mix with your hands (like tossing a salad) until mixture starts to look dry again.
—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
Opt for lower concentrations (think 5–10% instead of 15–20%) and ease in gradually, starting a few times a week before working up to daily use.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 May 2026
Hope is getting dirty, working up a sweat and seeing action.
—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
In the early 1990s, Porsche quietly began work on a V-10 engine for Formula 1; when that fell through, the idea sat on the shelf until the company began working up plans for a new Le Mans racer towards the end of the decade.
—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
All of this adds up to a more comfortable base for visitors to return to after working up a sweat under the desert sun.
—
Mark Johanson,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working up
Verb
-
Jamal Musiala spent much of his childhood in England, developing his game in Chelsea’s youth academy and playing for England’s youth teams with his close friend Jude Bellingham.
-
Despite being at the center of this season’s developing drama, rookie deckhand Luke is a bit of a cypher.
Verb
-
As American wine continues to evolve, the story is less about competing with Europe than about forging a distinctly American identity.
-
The new operation strengthens critical capacities within ATI’s forging flow path, helping customers address persistent aerospace supply chain constraints.
Verb
-
Unlike scenic destinations that become part of a wedding backdrop, Walshe said Madison Square Garden presents the opposite challenge because designers would first have to erase the venue's familiar arena feel before creating something entirely new.
-
And that means creating connections that are outside of a computer screen.
Verb
-
Sorrell prepared for the opportunity by working out with Parsons this offseason in Dallas for roughly six weeks.
-
Her feed is stuffed with photos of her biking, skiing, climbing, working out, often in outfits from Skinfit, from which her followers can get ten per cent off.
Verb
-
Pritzker needs to take a hands-on approach, gathering all the stakeholders well in advance of the November veto session and hammering out a workable regimen, to ensure lawmakers have something on which to vote.
-
Stocks fell sharply early in Thursday's session, but steadily clawed their way back as investors appeared to take heart from news reports that Iran and Oman are hammering out a plan to oversee traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Cite this Entry
“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
