drum up

verb

Definition of drum upnext
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination anyone who drums up a better way of doing this tedious task will make a fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drum up But the pardon wouldn’t protect him from a state prosecution or from any perjury charge that could be drummed up from his testimony now. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 However, Kohberger’s petition to reverse his plea and request a trial could potentially drum up further information on a motive. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Higher-end retailers are trying to drum up business by pouring money into their outlet operations and attracting more lower-end shoppers — a strategy that could drive gains for certain stocks in the space. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 July 2026 Though for the past few months Musk has fought like a combatant in the Trojan War to drum up controversy over Nolan’s film, his efforts have failed spectacularly. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for drum up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drum up
  1. devise
  2. construct
  3. concoct
  4. invent
Verb
  • David Lowery One of America’s most original directors returned this year with this underrated movie following an aging pop diva (Anne Hathaway) who reunites with her former costume designer (Michaela Coel) to devise a look for her comeback.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But state and local planners devised a way to answer commuter’s growing concerns by converting Independence into a freeway.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of devise
Verb
  • Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Because welding required higher amounts of power, the manufacturers at Auto Union AG could only construct their vehicles at night in order to reduce strain on surrounding electrical grids.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of construct
Verb
  • The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Like, for instance, Loughlin, who paid Singer $500,000 to concoct fake row team credentials — and even stage phony rowing photos — to get her two daughters into USC.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of concoct
Verb
  • With fellow voice actor and Rugrats star Michael Bell, Chartoff invented the Grayway Rotating Drain, which recycles used water from showers and sinks for other household uses.
    — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
  • No American family should have to invent its own aging strategy in the middle of a crisis.
    — Samir Shah, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of invent

Browse Nearby Words

drums up
drum up
drunk
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Cite this Entry

“Drum up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drum%20up. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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