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
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Recent Examples of working up
More experienced runners can gradually increase the running intervals, working up to four or six minutes of running with a one-minute walk break.
—
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Webtoon Productions has been working up titles from both platforms for film and TV, per our recent feature on the development and production unit, which is run by industry vet David Madden.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead of traditionally starting at 100 pounds and working up to 235 pounds, this year’s matches started at 140 pounds.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
The Cloudripper is breathable and moisture-wicking, perfect for working up a sweat.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
After working up an appetite in the more temperate months, meals can be taken at the outdoor dining pavilion alongside the home.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
To this day, working up a mess of beans soothes and centers me.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Webtoon Productions has been working up titles from both platforms for film and TV, per our recent feature on the development and production unit, which is run by industry vet David Madden.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead of traditionally starting at 100 pounds and working up to 235 pounds, this year’s matches started at 140 pounds.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Feb. 2026
The Cloudripper is breathable and moisture-wicking, perfect for working up a sweat.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
After working up an appetite in the more temperate months, meals can be taken at the outdoor dining pavilion alongside the home.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
To this day, working up a mess of beans soothes and centers me.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working up
Verb
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While the upcoming week looks dry across Central Texas, there are signs of a wetter pattern developing toward the end of March and into early April.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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Companies developing power plants are also poised to be big winners in the boom.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mug shots over an 8-year period for stealing cars, forging checks and running scams didn't stop Robinson from building trust and respect after creating a new identity as Mike King, a business owner and high-profile bodyguard to Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Although Oakland is home to many of the Bay Area’s best restaurants, only in the last five years did the Town become such a pizza destination, with most shops offering region-specific pizza and a few forging their own identities.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Citi has also been investing in Charlotte through four affordable housing projects, creating or preserving over 630 units, Stein said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Lamps and fittings in bedrooms can easily be dimmed using an iPad, creating more theatrical mood settings than a stage lighting console.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gas prices continue to rise in Massachusetts and commuters are working out ways to cut back on spending.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Another way to cut down on decision fatigue while working out is to start with the same move, which creates another predictable routine.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Aponte’s predecessor Kevin Abrams was the Giants‘ salary cap lead in previous years, most memorably hammering out the early versions of Daniel Jones’ contract extension in the lobby of the JW Marriott here in March 2023.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Artificial intelligence, real money When actors and studios arrived at the bargaining table this week to start hammering out the next SAG-AFTRA contract, a key figure in the conversation was not in the room.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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