The phrase "work up" has several synonyms depending on the context. In the medical field, it means to investigate or diagnose a patient's condition, and synonyms for this include evaluate, examine, and diagnose. In a fitness setting, it means to increase intensity or difficulty, and alternatives for this include intensify, advance, and ramp up. In an emotional sense, it means to generate (an emotion or feeling) and synonyms here include stimulate, create, and provoke. Finally, in a business sense, it means to prepare or plan, and appropriate synonyms for this include strategize, organize, and ready.