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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of work up
As is typical with large clubs like Manchester City, Garcia worked up the ranks while on loan to NAC Breda in Holland and Toulouse in France before transferring to his childhood club, Sporting Gijón, in 2019.
—
Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
There’s the snowball method — paying off the smallest debts first before working up to the largest ones — and the avalanche method, which involves tackling balances with the highest interest rates first.
—Kayla Steinberg, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
After working up an appetite, head to La Reine Chicken Shack for rotisserie-style chicken and delicious johnnycakes, or visit Savant for seafood right off the boat in an intimate patio setting.
—Mariette Williams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, crews could work up to a 24-hour shift during emergencies, but are compensated during rest periods.
—Chris Barilla, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for work up 
Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
There’s the snowball method — paying off the smallest debts first before working up to the largest ones — and the avalanche method, which involves tackling balances with the highest interest rates first.
—Kayla Steinberg, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
After working up an appetite, head to La Reine Chicken Shack for rotisserie-style chicken and delicious johnnycakes, or visit Savant for seafood right off the boat in an intimate patio setting.
—Mariette Williams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, crews could work up to a 24-hour shift during emergencies, but are compensated during rest periods.
—Chris Barilla, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for work up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for work up
Verb
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Núñez Vicente initially developed the design for economy cabins before last year premiering a business class/first class iteration.—
Francesca Street,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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After the fog lifts, a south-southeast wind flow will develop, producing a more humid day with isolated showers.—
Garfield Hylton,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In any case, California is forging ahead with its ambitious electric vehicle plans, despite Trump’s opposition.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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Hayes forged the names of the payees on the checks, according to prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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People are increasingly keen to create green spaces for stress-relief and finding calm.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2025
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In the film, Elizabeth Sparkle (Moore) uses The Substance to create a younger counterpart, Sue (Qualley).—
Fred Topel,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Each canister is supposed to make two liters of water, and the math works out to about $1 per liter of sparkling water, which is more than the 50 cents or so per liter of a regular soda maker’s tank.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
11 Feb. 2025
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But mixed-use projects haven’t always worked out on the river.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2025.
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