dress up

verb

Definition of dress upnext
1
as in to dress
to put on one's best or formal clothes we always like to dress up when going to parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to disguise
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the war was a fiasco that the administration tried to dress up as a triumph

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to candy
to make more desirable dressed up the house with new windows and a paint job before putting it on the market

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to clothe
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes the girls were dressed up in skirts or dresses, but the boys were wearing jeans

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 up Tickets are currently available, and all the Hotties are encouraged to dress up in costumes. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026 This swivel armchair’s nailhead detailing will certainly dress up your living room and at 20% off no less. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Wear them with a black dress for a fall wedding or let the leopard print dress up a simple cocktail party look. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026 Each can also be a decision to wait, dressed up as diligence. — Jochen Schwenk, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
  1. dress
  2. disguise
  3. candy
  4. clothe
  5. doll up
  6. mask
  7. spruce
  8. costume
Verb
  • Having dressed numerous actresses throughout her career, Chiuri sees a shift in red carpet culture toward individualized creations and, more recently, greater restraint.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • What does Cher think of everyone doing naked dressing these days?
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dress
Verb
  • The 414-foot Lürssen wasn’t a floating palace like most of the world’s largest yachts before it, but an expedition ship disguised as a superyacht, complete with submarines, helipads, a drive-in marina, and research capabilities.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • With a virtual private network, your requests are pushed through an anonymized server in a different location, which disguises your identifying information.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disguise
Verb
  • The edges caramelized and got nice and crispy—almost candied—while the centers stayed pleasantly soft.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion, and candied jalapeños.
    — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of candy
Verb
  • Also on the premises are a striking one-bedroom cabin clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, and sweeping mountain and city lights views from every vantage point.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Union members and their supporters were dressed colorfully, clad in red or green, and their march through the Brussels city center passed off peacefully.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of clothe
Verb
  • Hanging out was one thing, but the group also wanted to doll up the Potter franchise’s Ron Weasley.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And Millie Bobby Brown echoed a similar sentiment on her story, sharing Hottle's memorable shot holding a handmade King Kong doll up to the giant ape.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of doll up
Verb
  • Yes, plugging in the rough off the fairway, moving your ball for a way out of tree trouble and taking gimmie putts does mask one’s real ability.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats responded to the news by accusing Republicans of using vast amounts of cash to mask their shortcomings.
    — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of mask
Verb
  • If your outdoor space has been looking a little tired from the summer sun and storms, consider this your sign to spruce things up before the next season is in full swing.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Prince Harry even spruced the place up to Meghan’s liking while the couple was dating, per People, and proposed to her in the walled garden outside of the cottage in 2017.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 June 2026
Definition of spruce
Verb
  • The finale began with part one of the three-part Head of Household competition, as the finalists were forced to hold on to a kite for as long as possible while dressed in some ridiculous Ben Franklin costumes.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The custom-fit suit is a near-torture device of costuming that severely limits my ability to move.
    — Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costume

Browse Nearby Words

dress rehearsals
dress up
dressy
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Cite this Entry

“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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