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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dress up
The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40, priced at $62,700, is the first to be dressed up in the new gold tone, and has been bestowed with an eye-catching spring green aventurine dial to accentuate its hue, complete with a dash of baguette cut diamonds.
—
Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Doesn’t matter to all the freakin’ idiots who dress up like Santa.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Their top and legs also feature a decorative design that can help dress up your patio or deck.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
People were dressed up as Miranda!
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Charlie Boyd, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
Doesn’t matter to all the freakin’ idiots who dress up like Santa.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Their top and legs also feature a decorative design that can help dress up your patio or deck.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
People were dressed up as Miranda!
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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The characters are antiques dressed as human beings, and their traumas pile up without consequence.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
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The Oilers were missing Game 1 hero Jason Dickinson, who didn’t dress for Game 2 because of a lower-body injury.—
Jason Hills,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s habit disguised as taste.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
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On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lemon gelatin and candied lemon slices add a spike of citrus.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
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The brand’s Añejo, served with traditional red mole and corn tortillas, has similar hazelnut notes, alongside candied orange and spices.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Law-enforcement officers, clad in helmets and flak jackets and wielding long guns, materialized on the stage.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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The structure is distinguished from its two larger neighbors by having been partially clad in red granite blocks, rather than white limestone.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
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The store had to be closed for several days while volunteers set the dolls up for display, and only 25 shoppers could be allowed in at a time for viewing because of the dolls’ values.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Everything is coated in a garlic butter salt that masks the mediocrity of the nuts.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The country’s prosperity masks a condition of perpetual labor simply to sustain family and keep pace with one of the world’s most expensive cities.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Bauhus’s research, climate change has rendered the Black Forest largely uninhabitable to spruce.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
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Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With a gaping leg wound and an infection creeping in, Peeta paints himself to camouflage into the stream's bed of rocks, where Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) ultimately finds him.—
Sara Belcher,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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Don't Overlook the Finish For a novice home painter, going with a flat finish will afford the most forgiveness, camouflaging imperfections rather than drawing the eye to them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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