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
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Recent Examples of dress up
Ximena Avilez, 28, a Mexican woman living in Maine, tells me that dressing up has always been a bid for connection to her birthplace.
—
Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 8 July 2025
Blue and green and red, swaying their barren masts, like the sea dressing up for a wedding.
—Aysegül Savas, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
Stylishly cropped at the ankle, they can be dressed up or down, and the two deep pockets are great for storing smaller items.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
Shoppers are going for light and airy styles to beat the heat, like this stylish midi dress that looks easy to dress up or down, along with these breathable linen trousers for everyday wear.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Daisy Maldonado, Vogue, 8 July 2025
Blue and green and red, swaying their barren masts, like the sea dressing up for a wedding.
—Aysegül Savas, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025
Stylishly cropped at the ankle, they can be dressed up or down, and the two deep pockets are great for storing smaller items.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
Shoppers are going for light and airy styles to beat the heat, like this stylish midi dress that looks easy to dress up or down, along with these breathable linen trousers for everyday wear.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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In another, cucumber kimchi, a fresh and crunchy side dressed in gochujang with a fiery kick that cuts through the richness filling the rest of my tray.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
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The video ends with Obama dressed in an orange jumpsuit in a jail cell.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Verb
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That's where the VIRSA framework comes in—an antidote to chaos disguised as complexity.—
Saby Waraich,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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What looks like one giant spotted egg is actually disguising a full polka dot dinnerware set, including two large plates and six bowls of various sizes, nested together like a Matryoshka doll.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Along with smothered baked chicken, the smothered turkey tips, candied yams and pinto beans and rice might also hit the spot.—
Keith Pandolfi,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Sweeter styles feature flavors of ripe apricot, honey, candied citrus peel, and exotic spices, balanced by that signature acid snap.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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One wall is clad with posters of Denzel Washington, Janet Jackson and movies and shows.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
19 July 2025
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Four years later, also in Harper’s Weekly, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion’s skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Toddler girl wearing striped shorts and vest set propping her baby doll up against a wall to take a photo.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 July 2025
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Wearing a look inspired by Barbie herself, Margot Robbie dolls up at this year's Gotham Awards on Nov. 27 in N.Y.C. 43 of 80 Night to Remember Bradley Cooper waves to onlookers outside of the 2023 Gotham Awards in New York City on Nov. 27.—
Zoey Lyttle,
Peoplemag,
30 Nov. 2023
Verb
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And as the number of A schools creeps upward, that’s ignited a debate on whether Florida is grading its schools effectively, and whether grade inflation is masking continued difficulties educating students.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
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But critics, including the New York City Bar Association, are concerned masking is an attempt to shield agents from accountability.—
Julia Marnin
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Whether your patio could use sprucing or your living room needs reinvigorating, doing home makeovers on a budget is tough.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
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Today’s Amazon deals are all about sprucing things up: your desktop setup, your tablet experience, and your audio at home or the beach.—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Republicans’ shrewd assault on transgender rights put the Democrats on the defensive and effectively camouflaged the existential menace of Project 2025.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
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Unlike more agile or camouflaged species, torpedo rays tend to be slow-moving and often lie hidden on the seafloor.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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