USING UP Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

using up

verb

present participle of use up

as in spending

to make complete use of we used up the last of the flour when we made the waffles

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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 using up The result is fabulously decadent and the perfect recipe for using up oodles and oodles of summer squash. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 Emily Weinstein, a researcher at the Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard, says some students are using up to seven different apps to manage everything from grades to sports team schedules. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 22 July 2026 The company claims its models can match or outperform frontier labs using up to 100 times fewer tokens, which are the currency for running AI queries. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 23 June 2026 This single observation suggests that, during strong wind conditions, each rotor would contribute about 1 MW of propulsion, even when using up its own 20 kW of spinning power. — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026 Roskopf, however, countered that data centers don’t provide significant jobs, but only provide an additional tax base while using up resources. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 Breakfast Burritos The most flexible breakfast on this list and one of the best for using up what is already in the fridge. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026 Data centers have faced increasing criticism for using up water and power, adding to the already-existing strain on those resources. — Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Mar. 2026 The United States, Israel, and their Gulf allies are using up scarce and costly munitions at an astounding rate. — Brynn Tannehill, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for using up

Verb

At 28 years old, the sizeable outlay on the Brazilian midfielder continues Arsenal’s ploy of spending big money on players who can immediately improve their first team.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
But that also means that a large number of folks who don't have so many assets might be better off spending their dollars on risk management and insurance.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of spending

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Those symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria, the CDC says.

— Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of consuming

Verb

Window closing to find survivors These are the kinds of scenes playing out across La Guaira state, with people milling around in the streets after being left homeless, uncertain of what to do next.

— Fernando Narro Roman, NPR, 28 June 2026
These same dynamics are now playing out in litigation over social media and youth mental health.

— Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026

Definition of playing out

Verb

To deodorize and tackle slow-draining sinks, sprinkle a bit of baking soda down the drain before pouring a generous amount of apple cider vinegar.

— Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026
For best results, focus on giving your ficus well-draining soil and plenty of bright, partial light.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

The ruling involves 16 men's basketball players who sued the NCAA in Cobb County Superior Court in July after exhausting four seasons of college eligibility.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Countless veterans whom Perry had gotten to know had experienced similarly stark recoveries after exhausting conventional treatments for brain injuries and trauma, and turning to ibogaine.

— Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausting

Verb

And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
In addition to ramping up its production since leaving OPEC+, Kpler senior oil analyst Johannes Raubal said the UAE has also been drawing down crude inventories, further enhancing export volumes.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Definition of drawing down

Verb

Carrick using Mbeumo as a centre-forward is not new — but the way United’s forward line is gelling around him is.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
In Little Rock, former Police Chief Heath Helton, who stepped down in May, was a strong advocate for using technology like license plate reader cameras to support the department's operations.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of using

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using

using up

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“Using up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/using%20up. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of using up

verb

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