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Definition of dressnext
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as in gown
a garment with a joined blouse and skirt usually worn by a woman or girl what a lovely dress you're wearing today!

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as in costume
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a bagpiper in full Scottish Highlander dress

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dress

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adjective

dress

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verb

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as in to bandage
to cover with a bandage first wash and then dress the wound

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dress
Noun
The mesh dress, which hails from the brand’s pre-fall 2026 collection, featured Oscar de la Renta’s quintessential floral embellishments, placed along the top half of the bustline and bodice and in a cascading bouquet on the skirt. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Jan. 2026 Ha’s dress featured a floor-length full skirt that fanned behind her in a dramatic train, adding some extra drama and volume with some pleated folds on each side. Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Footage from the Palm Beach event shows some attendees dressed in 18th-century formal wear with dog masks over their heads. Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026 These immigrants have taken care of her every day for two years by dressing her, helping her eat, engaging with her, bathing her. Ellen Watters, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress
Noun
  • Last May, a source told PEOPLE that the feud initially stemmed from wedding dress drama, with Victoria allegedly offering to make Nicola's gown but then never delivering.
    Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Over the weekend, Lewis took to social media and shared Polaroid photos of herself in a wedding gown, veil and a bouquet next to her cockapoo, Bobby Rhubarb.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Tisdale French shared a video trying on her old HSM costumes.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Ubwdu Lace Ballet Sneakers These sneakers feel like a subtle nod to the balletcore trend without going full costume.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Lined up next to rookie left tackle Josh Simmons and veteran center Creed Humphrey, Suamataia took some lumps in the first two preseason games before settling in for a clean sheet in the third look against the Bears.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Casly Lamiit Matching Turtleneck and Skirt Set Go for an easy one-and-done look with this turtleneck sweater and skirt set.
    Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The entertainment rooms can serve as places to enjoy cocktails and billiards (both villas feature Steinway & Sons grand pianos), the dining rooms feel cinematic without being too formal, and the bedroom suites favor comfort rather than flashiness.
    David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
  • City leaders say the rules are needed because Rocklin currently has no formal regulations in place to monitor or enforce mobile vending activity.
    Conor McGill, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In theory, these shocks are supposed to fade, and the greater good is served by merely bandaging the complaints of lower-income groups until the headline metrics herald an apparent return to normalcy.
    Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Reporters inside the courtroom noticed that Flores' temple and eyelid were bandaged.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Dern strutted her stuff in a gown decorated with three-dimensional florals, as well as a pair of sleek sandals.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
  • In 1995, the Château de Wideville, built in 1580, was purchased and French interior designer Henri Samuel was tasked to decorate it.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Rhone Commuter Flyweight Pants, 40 percent off, are lightweight, flattering, and polished enough for flights that double as workdays.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Living Room When used in combination with other ingredients, lemon juice can be used to polish and refresh parts of a living room.
    Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Photos from airports reviewed by USA TODAY from the USA TODAY Network, Reuters and Getty Images taken during the holiday travel season showed that flyers were largely attired in outfits ranging from casual to business casual.
    James Powel, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
  • Turkey Trot events The S3 Turkey Trot, which includes three race options, features thousands of participants attired in costumes ahead of the Nov. 27 parade.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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