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

In the filing, Anthropic acknowledged that its future relies on outpacing its competition in developing increasingly capable and complex large language models.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Beyond shortening competition times, the changes put particular emphasis on the roles of Goddard and JPL for developing NASA's science missions.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of developing

Verb

And yes, in 1861, Richard Cadbury came up with the Valentine box of chocolates, thus forging an indissoluble link between candy and the lucrative holiday calendar for all time to come.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot has cultivated a reputation for integrity, competence, and personal rectitude, forging relationships across Israel’s fractured political spectrum.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of forging

Verb

Bowman’s work is part of a growing trend that’s not just about introducing new dishes to the local food scene; creating a market for invasive species may also bring ecological benefits for the local environment.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to working capital, and taking the time to understand the tradeoffs can help businesses choose financing that supports sustainable growth rather than creating additional financial pressure.

— Andrew Coon, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of creating

Verb

In October 2026, Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter that the creative team was still working out the new show’s airing schedule and considering whether to introduce the spinoff through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026
Yen is now writing a fresh draft and working out the film’s visual style.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of working out

Verb

Mandel started hammering out the pilot with showrunner Patrick Somerville (the two currently have permission to sell the scripts should another network show interest) but spent most of her days thinking about what her next novel might be.

— Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
However, both sides of the debate left the door open to hammering out a potential compromise in the coming days before either version faces a vote by the full City Council.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 17 Sep. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of working up

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