Phrase guide

work up

verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To raise; to excite; to stir up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He worked up the public's passions to rage.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rouse, animate, awaken, electrify, enflame, enkindle, enthrill, exagitate, excite, exhilarate, exsuscitate, fillip, fire, fire the blood, galvanize, gin up, ignite, inflame, intoxicate, kindle, quicken, send, set fire to, set on fire, sharpen, stir the blood, suscitate, thrill, vitalise, wake, warm the blood, whet, wind up, work up, yerk

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To develop.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • work up a sweat
  • I shall have worked up an appetite with all this heavy work.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To give (a patient) a general medical examination to assess health and fitness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To use up (material, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To set at an irksome or needless task.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

develop

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • we worked up an as of an appetite

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: grow, develop, produce, get, acquire

7

verb

Meaning 7

come up with

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • His colleagues worked out his interesting idea
  • We worked up an ad for our client

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: work out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: develop, make grow

8

verb

Meaning 8

form or accumulate steadily

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
  • Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: build up, build, progress

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: develop

9

verb

Meaning 9

bolster or strengthen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • We worked up courage
  • build up confidence
  • ramp up security in the airports

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: build up, build, ramp up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: increase

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: wzniecać — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: wzniecić — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: podburzać — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: podburzyć — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: pobudzać — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: pobudzić — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: ożywiać — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: ożywić — to raise; to excite; to stir up.
  • Polish: rozwijać — to develop
  • Polish: rozwinąć — to develop
  • Polish: rozbudzać — to develop
  • Polish: rozbudzić — to develop
  • Spanish: desarrollar — to develop
  • Spanish: levantar — to develop
  • Spanish: dar — to develop
  • Spanish: abrir — to develop