as in to develop
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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of work up
Just as things became official, the Charlotte Hornets were working up a lather, running through team drills not far from where smoke billowed into the Southern California sky.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
Back in their home town of Memphis, the band half-heartedly worked up a few new songs and fought among themselves with increasing ferocity.
—Mitch Therieau, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
A little goes a long way, especially for drier skin types—start with a small amount and work up from there.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
The sibling pair worked up lyrics, and then Eilish joined the British singer for a video shoot and the project was out days later.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for work up 
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
Back in their home town of Memphis, the band half-heartedly worked up a few new songs and fought among themselves with increasing ferocity.
—Mitch Therieau, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
A little goes a long way, especially for drier skin types—start with a small amount and work up from there.
—Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
The sibling pair worked up lyrics, and then Eilish joined the British singer for a video shoot and the project was out days later.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Disney is also developing a live-action remake of the original for release in 2026.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
19 Jan. 2025
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The four-time Oscar nominee was well known for creating the 1990 TV series Twin Peaks, which developed into an additional feature film and a 2017 revival season.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, six search and rescue teams forged ahead, systematically looking through every building that was destroyed by the fire.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
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Now, the Padres must forge ahead with a significant degree of difficulty.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The stores create and post much of their own content separate from the main Barnes & Noble account and also are responsible for their in-store marketing of #BookTok titles in displays.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2025
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Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical products, created by inputting text and photos that get converted into images.—
David Moin,
WWD,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, this deal worked out much better for the Padres as the Yankees lost Soto to free agency.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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And if things don't work out, don't adjust your goals—just adjust your steps.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near work up
Cite this Entry
“Work up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/work%20up. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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