worked up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of worked upnext
as in wrought (up)

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worked up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of work up
as in developed
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 worked up
Adjective
Doing this yelp as a human may work when training certain dogs, but the AKC advises that with some puppies, this could actually get the puppy more worked up and likely to bite. — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 One of the reasons why some of us get so worked up over HFR is because some of its advocates envision it as the future of the medium, and that would be, frankly, a good way to destroy it forever. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
Putting words on the page seems too low stakes to get worked up about, and yet the terror of saying something taboo—or just being boring—feels like a terrible fate to most writers. — David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026 Church’s numinous-sun-over-still-water routine had begun to look a bit like a shtick, equally applicable to scenes of the Hudson or those worked up from 20-year-old sketches of South America. — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for worked up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worked up
  1. fed up
  2. developed
  3. angry
  4. forged
  5. upset
  6. created
  7. enraged
  8. worked out
Adjective
  • After clearing logjams in the White House and House of Representatives, the legislation drew broad support in an election year where both parties are increasingly aware that voters have said they're fed up with the high cost of living.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • The longtime Detroiter is fed up – with the lack of police help to find the fraudster, as well as the court system.
    — Donovan McCarty, The Conversation, 22 June 2026
Definition of fed up
Verb
  • Sandler and Kelce developed a friendship after the Chiefs tight end appeared in Happy Gilmore 2.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • The tool, developed by independent AI engineer Luke Geel, analyzes past results and players’ activity—from posture to blink rate—spotting connections that might be imperceptible to the average viewer but visible to top pros.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of developed
Adjective
  • The Commission ultimately left it at 400 feet, prompting an intense reaction from the angry crowd.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
  • Some of the women who were angry contacted the SFMOMA not simply to share feedback, but to try to ensure Bahr could never work with the institution again.
    — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of angry
Verb
  • The two previously forged a bond while spending time together in London during the pandemic in 2020.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • So Continental Army leadership forged ahead on the last, short, dark day of 1775.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of forged
Adjective
  • Play was held up after some upset fans threw things onto the field after the controversial offside call.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • Some were finely cut feathers; others, more surprisingly, were denim in various washes that created a kind of dimensional pointillist effect unlike anything else photographed on the red steps of the Palais.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of created
Adjective
  • Not every close call involves death-defying drop-offs and enraged bison.
    — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • Rob-Will’s enraged face as Beulah told him what the situation actually is was pretty amazing.
    — William Earl, Variety, 26 June 2026
Definition of enraged
Verb
  • Saša Pekeč, a professor of business administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, compares it to the early days of ridesharing apps, which were banned in some cities while regulations were still being worked out.
    — Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 3 July 2026
  • Design elements are still being worked out, the spokeswoman added.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of worked out

Browse Nearby Words

worked over
worked up
worker
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Cite this Entry

“Worked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worked%20up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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