Definition

Adjective: * In a state of emotional agitation or excitement. It describes a person who has become overly excited, anxious, or upset, often to the point of being unable to remain calm.

Usage

The adjective "worked up" is used to describe a person's temporary emotional state. It is typically used after a linking verb like be, get, or become. It often implies that the agitation is unnecessary, excessive, or has been built up over a period.

Examples

• After the argument, she was too worked up to sleep. (Her emotional agitation prevented sleep.)
• There's no need to get worked up over a small mistake. (Do not become unnecessarily upset.)
• He gets worked up every time he watches the news. (He regularly becomes agitated.)
• The crowd was worked up by the speaker's passionate speech. (The crowd became excited and emotional.)

Advanced Usage

• "Worked up about/over something": This is the most common construction, specifying the cause of the agitation.
  • She's all worked up about the upcoming exam.
  • Don't get worked up over things you can't control.

Variants and Related Words

• Work up (phrasal verb): To gradually develop or stir up a feeling, appetite, or state.
  • He went for a run to work up an appetite.
  • The politician tried to work up support for his campaign.

Synonyms

• Agitated
• Excited
• Keyed up
• Overwrought
• Upset

Antonyms

• Calm
• Composed
• Placid
• Unruffled

Related Phrases

• In a state: A general phrase for being agitated or upset.
  • She was in a real state after hearing the news.
• Hot and bothered: Informal idiom meaning flustered and agitated.
  • He got all hot and bothered when he couldn't find his keys.

Adjective

1. (of persons) excessively affected by emotion
   • he would become emotional over nothing at all
   • she was worked up about all the noise