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
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
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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Streaming will come together for a keynote roundtable to share their strategies developing compelling campaigns for new films and TV series.—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
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Along with the likes of the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix, the charity has spent the past year developing the principles, which were revealed at an event at Channel 4’s Horseferry Road HQ.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Garcia was detained and later arrested on two counts of grand theft auto, one count of owning or aiding in operating a chop shop, and one count of forging or altering a vehicle title, according to his arrest report.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Brazil seeks new trade allies amid tariff uncertainty Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accelerated his global diplomatic push, forging new trade agreements amid global upheaval.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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MangoAI is a stealth-mode company, whose technology can be used for creating short videos for advertising.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Interested consumers now have a range of options, though all are costly, not covered by insurance and carry risks like overdiagnosis or creating a false sense of security.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In January, a Crossroads staff member was fired after police told the church that the staff member allegedly secretly filmed women working out at Crunch Fitness in Oakley.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
28 Feb. 2026
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Everybody’s used to working out and then going straight to work.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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The mayor has faced challenges with hammering out a compromise between the Black and Latino caucuses for the influential role; now Lawson, who is white, could be poised to clinch the spot.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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