worked-up

or worked up, wrought-up

[ wurkt-uhp ]

See synonyms for worked-up on Thesaurus.com

adjective

excited; perturbed: She's all worked-up about the new deadline.

Origin of worked-up

First recorded in1900–05

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use worked-up in a sentence

But were Americans ever so worked up about the practice that they demanded it not be undertaken in their name?
The U.S. Will Torture Again—and We’re All to Blame | Michael Tomasky | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
[At a 2004 NAACP event], he got worked up listening to speech after speech talk about the heroes of Brown v. Board of Education.
A Full-Length Bill Cosby Portrait: From Track Star to Ugly Sweaters | Scott Porch | September 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
For centuries, student artists copied plaster casts and worked up variations on images of the Holy Family.
There’s Nothing Wrong—and a Lot That’s Right—About Copying Other Artists | Malcolm Jones | January 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Talking about the card at length, Suze Orman has gotten a bit worked up.
Can Suze Orman Save America? | Adam Auriemma | November 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
At some points Caddell got himself so worked up, he appeared to lose his train of thought midway through a sentence.
Burn! Sen. Lindsey Graham, ‘Leader of the Surrender Caucus’ | David Catanese | September 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

These ingredients must be well worked up in a mortar, until thoroughly incorporated.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
Cement mortars should never be worked up after setting has taken place.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 | Various
The dauphiness, worked up into a nervous state by the incidents of the day, seized the duchess' arm in her fright.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander Dumas
All went to the timber yard—every bit except some little pieces worked up in the Lady Chapel, and 'ere in this overmantel.
A Thin Ghost and Others | M. R. (Montague Rhodes) James
The district has been well worked up; and there are many of both sexes in it prepared to either pray or fight for St. Peter's.
Our Churches and Chapels | Atticus

British Dictionary definitions for worked up

worked up

adjective

agitated or excited

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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