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
Relevance
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
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
Tile, textured paint, and statement hardware are great alternatives to dress up a room.
—
Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Next, look for ways to dress up those bare bulbs that were so popular in the past decade by installing clip-on shades.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Andrew and King Charles embraced the cowboy lifestyle, dressing up in cowboy hats and bolo ties while watching the Calgary Stampede during a visit to Canada in 1977.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
In Germany, for example, women are encouraged to cut off men's ties during festivities, and in Denmark, children dress up and collect candy in a tradition that mirrors Halloween.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Next, look for ways to dress up those bare bulbs that were so popular in the past decade by installing clip-on shades.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
Andrew and King Charles embraced the cowboy lifestyle, dressing up in cowboy hats and bolo ties while watching the Calgary Stampede during a visit to Canada in 1977.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
In Germany, for example, women are encouraged to cut off men's ties during festivities, and in Denmark, children dress up and collect candy in a tradition that mirrors Halloween.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
-
Actors who look more of the moment are Ayo Edebiri, Teyana Taylor and Jennifer Lawrence – who see dressing for a film premiere or awards show less about creating an outrageous look, and more about asserting their artistry and originality.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
From clean cupboards that keep your cooking on track to clutter-free closets that make getting dressed a breeze, having less stuff makes the everyday easier, and who wouldn't want that?—
Maggie Gillette,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Secondly, the storytelling skills of these AI creators could not disguise the fact that their films are artificial.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In small kitchens that don’t have room for bread boxes or storage shelves, countertop jars are one of our favorite ways to disguise clutter as decor.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Inside were candied almonds and hazelnuts in coatings the colors of raspberries and coffee, basil and lemons.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
-
And under the broiler, it becomes burnished on the bird, almost candied in taste.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Firelight stretched across the line of worshippers as most clutched small candles clad in a paper holder that donned a short message.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Any Milanese commuters not wearing fur coats were instead clad in wool coats extending past their knees.—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
The vinegar breaks down odor-causing bacteria while baking soda absorbs musty smells that have settled deep into the fibers, giving the comforter a better chance of coming out truly clean rather than temporarily masked by the fragrance from the detergent.—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The members of Atlanteans (all male) were masked.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gallagher spent the first week of December sprucing it up, artfully decorating Christmas trees and doing her best to spread holiday cheer to the house's 150 families.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
13 Dec. 2025
-
Very few of today’s displays predate the 1990s, with some being renovated over the years to either spruce them up or change their theme.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The finish is like a veil with a light-reflecting brightness that does wonders at camouflaging darkness and discoloration.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
