working up

present participle of work up

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for working up
Verb
  • The team has appeared comfortable all offseason — after re-signing Singleton and Strnad in free agency and releasing fellow veteran Dre Greenlaw — relying on this young, developing cast to fill the depth positions.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Washington has been developing new wildfire safety regulations for several years, including building codes for homes constructed in risky areas and rules for managing plants and vegetation.
    Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Deborah is forging her own stylish reputation wearing Balmain and a Chanel look of her own.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Bosa seems committed to forging ahead in another ACL comeback, having rebounded well in 2021 with a reconstructed left knee and captured NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The design team for Viva is the same one creating Rams Village just a block away, which will feature the team's headquarters, training facility and more residential living on the 52-acre site.
    Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Long-term Treasury yields rose to their highest point since 2007, creating another headwind for the economy and lifting borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.
    David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • However, even those without a passion for boxing can enjoy working out with a speed bag.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Bieber's carousel also included a video of herself working out at a gym and a photo in which she was seen holding a plate of meatballs topped with red sauce and cheese.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Fox is the first NFL partner to publicly assert a lack of interest in hammering out an early revision of its existing media contract.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Israeli and Lebanese negotiating teams are set to meet again there to continue hammering out a plan under which Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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