as in develops
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 works up
The Jetz-Scrubz sponge (awkward to say, easy to use) quickly works up super fine suds from your dish soap, making for a very satisfying and effective cleaning experience.
—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Feb. 2026
These stylistic parameters, however, feel established purely so the film can wrestle against them, which works up to a point.
—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
The whole episode works up to Dorit and Amanda’s confrontation at Dorit and Erika’s birthday dinner.
—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Smalltown Boy works up the courage to ask Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) to dance, and now their hands are all over each other, much to the chagrin of Smalltown Boy’s ex, Personal Jesus, who is going through the motions of dancing with Caribbean Queen but keeps looking over his shoulder.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 Feb. 2026
These stylistic parameters, however, feel established purely so the film can wrestle against them, which works up to a point.
—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
The whole episode works up to Dorit and Amanda’s confrontation at Dorit and Erika’s birthday dinner.
—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Smalltown Boy works up the courage to ask Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) to dance, and now their hands are all over each other, much to the chagrin of Smalltown Boy’s ex, Personal Jesus, who is going through the motions of dancing with Caribbean Queen but keeps looking over his shoulder.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works up
Verb
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As this increasingly audacious killer develops a devoted following among the city’s powerless, Bishop becomes convinced these murders connect back to SF’s most powerful man, his own father, Lincoln Graves (John Malkovich).
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency develops and updates maps that determine who's in a flood plain and must buy insurance, and to help communities plan.
Verb
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Ten years ago, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a referendum that forges political identities to this day and that shattered a half-century project to get closer to the continent.
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Meanwhile, Duncan forges ahead with Carl as his new partner.
Verb
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That creates a rare opportunity for tournament debutant Cape Verde, the second-smallest country to qualify for a World Cup.
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The watershed provides drinking water, forms a critical habitat for fish and other wildlife and creates recreational spaces for the community, the board wrote.
Verb
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The home starts at PLN 199,000 (for reference, this works out to roughly US$52,500), but will vary a lot depending on options chosen.
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On a $20,000 auto loan, this works out to be an extra $15 per month.
Verb
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Zack James’ shifty drumming hammers out a drum ’n’ bass redux like a panicked heartbeat while Carney Hemler’s bass lurches in slow motion, replicating the gut drop of a horrible realization.
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There are a lot of quality hammers out there, but this Craftsman hammer from Amazon is both tough and affordable.
Verb
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Dining Chef Tony Candray Marenco crafts a colorful farm-to-table menu for ceviche and poke bowls, largely made with ingredients from their on-property vegetable garden.
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And as the 60-something Tony, Gregory North crafts a character who is equal parts stubborn and manipulative, and kind and generous.
Cite this Entry
“Works up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works%20up. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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