1
: fully manufactured
2
: marked by the use of makeup
3
: fancifully conceived or falsely devised

Examples of made-up in a Sentence

the bogeyman was one of those made-up monsters whose sole purpose was to threaten children
Recent Examples on the Web Telling lies to appease a user even if a false or made-up answer is provided. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 But to pursue a state of purity—even a fictional one; even a made-up, obviously impure one—still feels righteous. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024 Not long after that, the reader’s manager started reprimanding Autumn Leaves 523 for humming, misdirecting a package, and other minor or made-up infractions. Karla Miller, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024 Her mother Dee Dee Blanchard lived with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek sympathy through the exaggerated or made-up illnesses of their children. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023 Under the visage of the monster he was made-up to be, shined the kindest of spirits. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2023 Clad in a bright matching jumpsuit, blonde hair wrapped delicately in a chic scarf and face made-up proper, donning oversized sunglasses, her charisma is on full display. Holly Jones, Variety, 15 Oct. 2023 Gorgeously made-up, with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, a corset, and a cloak, Inanna set forth. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 The score was made-up of averages from an air and water quality sub-category and a pollution sub-category. Sydney Carruth, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'made-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of made-up was in 1725

Dictionary Entries Near made-up

Cite this Entry

“Made-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/made-up. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

made-up

adjective
ˈmā-ˈdəp
1
: created from the imagination
a made-up story
2
: marked by the use of makeup
made-up eyelids

More from Merriam-Webster on made-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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