works up

present tense third-person singular 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for works up
Verb
  • Three phases The plan unfolds in three phases, though the report only develops the first one, focusing on stabilization and emergency measures.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • The Vanstone fortune cannot be recouped until Magdalen finally develops a strong emotional intelligence—until her thinking and observation skills grow to match her acting skills, and then begin to work together.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • As the administration forges ahead with its immigration enforcement campaign, former ICE officials and policing experts warned that resuming vehicle stops without a thorough review of training or tactics could lead to more violent encounters.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • Motherhood, sexuality, family, fame… every band member forges her own path in refreshingly disparate ways rarely shown on television.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The decline in alcohol consumption creates a larger problem for clubs built around bottle service.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Giving more power without meaningful accountability creates a dangerous imbalance.
    Katie Uhlaender OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Assuming everything works out with the Kickstarter, the basic version of the Cordalock can be yours for a pledge of €157 (about US$180).
    Ben Coxworth July 18, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • Compare that with paying $30 to $60 per visit at a cold plunge or sauna studio three times a week, which works out to $4,500 to $9,000 a year, or $45,000 to $90,000 over a decade.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • The airport recently extended its current lease agreement an extra year, keeping the status quo in place through at least June 30, 2027, while the city hammers out a long-term deal.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • 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.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • House of Leon crafts it from Douglas fir using shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese technique that preserves wood by charring its surface.
    Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026
  • Still the Right Stuff no longer crafts these legacy jackets, but this garment is a testament to the vintage flight jackets that inspired fashion around the world.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Works up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/works%20up. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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