worked up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Miraculously, it worked up until the “very last second” before they stepped on the bus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Nevertheless, I worked up my courage and said, “Hi, my name is Nick. I love your hat. I have one just like it!”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
"The defendant appeared agitated and worked up, and was remonstrating as he got back into his van," said Knight.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
Like Jobs, Cook chose a longtime Apple employee that worked up the ranks to become a senior leader.
From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026
Bugging out is what happens when a robot gets too worked up.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
By the same token, a lot of people who are super worked-up about "cancel culture" are also isolated and anxious about being left behind in a changing world.
From Salon ● Dec. 27, 2022
Her best portraits combine areas of worked-up detail — especially hands and faces — with areas intentionally left blank or given only cursory treatment.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2021
It’s also very effective at lulling a worked-up child into relaxation, especially at bedtime.
From Slate ● Nov. 26, 2019
Standing between an agitated police officer and a worked-up protester who were nearing blows near a gas station in the Sherman Park neighborhood, Hamilton said he stepped in to urge calm.
From Reuters ● Aug. 18, 2016
But the work of getting anybody to cheerfully undertake the monotony and drudgery of education must be effected not by pay merely, but by a skilfully worked-up appeal to the emotions as well.
From The Letters of Pliny the Younger by Melmoth, William
