WORKING UP Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

working up

verb

present participle of work up

as in developing

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 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 working up Some have already talked to a parent; others are working up the nerve. — Carolyn O'Laughlin, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 While working up the nerve to kill her, Loftis discovers that Ruth is secretly the mother of his late wife Lauren (Meredith Casey), making his son Evan (Kingston Rumi Southwick) the final descendant. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 June 2026 The other two are still working up to it, but the team isn't going anywhere. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 Starting from bottom of bowl and working up, mix with your hands (like tossing a salad) until mixture starts to look dry again. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 June 2026 Opt for lower concentrations (think 5–10% instead of 15–20%) and ease in gradually, starting a few times a week before working up to daily use. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026 Hope is getting dirty, working up a sweat and seeing action. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 In the early 1990s, Porsche quietly began work on a V-10 engine for Formula 1; when that fell through, the idea sat on the shelf until the company began working up plans for a new Le Mans racer towards the end of the decade. — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026 All of this adds up to a more comfortable base for visitors to return to after working up a sweat under the desert sun. — Mark Johanson, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for working up

Verb

The company has partnered with a fund manager licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to establish the Silver Media Fund, an institutional-grade media investment vehicle focused on developing and financing scalable IP.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
The director, Andrew Patterson, spent years developing the project as the follow-up to his celebrated 2019 debut, The Vast of Night.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of developing

Verb

According to her campaign website, Bryant’s platform calls for increasing literacy, supporting teachers and staff, advocating for parental rights, forging partnerships, fostering accountability and creating equal opportunities for all students.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
To me, what emerges from this swaying feels more natural than simply forging ahead with a predetermined, easily understood logic.

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of forging

Verb

The Project has transformed tragedy into opportunity and remembrance into action, creating programs and initiatives designed to empower young people, strengthen communities, and open doors that too often remain closed.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
His teammate, Stephen Jackson, followed him, and within minutes players and fans were throwing haymakers at one another, creating terrifying chaos and images that would haunt the league.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of creating

Verb

Bieber's carousel also included a video of herself working out at a gym and a photo in which she was seen holding a plate of meatballs topped with red sauce and cheese.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Donald has been working out at the Rams' Woodland Hills training complex and at home for several weeks in his attempt to return to NFL shape.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of working out

Verb

Fox is the first NFL partner to publicly assert a lack of interest in hammering out an early revision of its existing media contract.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Israeli and Lebanese negotiating teams are set to meet again there to continue hammering out a plan under which Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of hammering out

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workings

working up

workingwoman

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“Working up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/working%20up. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of working up

verb

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