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
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
The pair are working up a slate of podcasts based around key moments in contemporary American history.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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
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
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
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
The pair are working up a slate of podcasts based around key moments in contemporary American history.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working up
Verb
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The breakthrough came from the US Air Force, which had spent years developing a propellant called ASCENT (Advanced SpaceCraft Energetic Non-Toxic propellant) as a greener replacement for hydrazine, a highly toxic chemical traditionally used in spacecraft propulsion.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
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The Fort Worth Independent School District issued a new request for proposals May 29, seeking proposals from developers interested in purchasing and developing some of the tracts of property surrounding Farrington Field stadium.—
Ciara McCarthy
June 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Verb
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In 2015, when Jay was introducing Tidal, Drake chose Apple Music instead, forging his own path as a mogul rather than teaming up with Jay.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
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Senate Republicans are once again forging ahead with a reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through fiscal year 2029.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Verb
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This luxury hotel is famously set in a former Ottoman prison, creating a paradoxically private and peaceful enclave in the middle of bustling Sultanahmet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Earlier this year, Democratic leaders worried that their voters would splinter among their candidates, creating a scenario where two Republicans advanced to the general election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Bath & Body Works Analyst Lorraine Hutchinson said the turnaround is working out for the body care and fragrance company.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
6 June 2026
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So working out is out of the question, as is going for a swim.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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