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
The investigation also determined Raasch dressed up to resemble a woman in an apparent effort to avoid detection, police said.
—
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
This wingback design draped in linen brings a formal vibe that can be dressed up or down with the right bedding.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026
Don't dress up your defeat as an agreement.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, ne’er-do-wells saw an opportunity to dress up and commit crimes as ghosts.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
This wingback design draped in linen brings a formal vibe that can be dressed up or down with the right bedding.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026
Don't dress up your defeat as an agreement.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, ne’er-do-wells saw an opportunity to dress up and commit crimes as ghosts.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
-
The girl's mother said he was dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask with only his eyes showing.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
How should tourists dress in Paris?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cami launched into her conundrum while Ember half listened, nodding often to disguise her own distraction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Korean Cheesesteak is still dripping in American cheese, but is also kicked up with a spicy gochujang sauce and candied jalapeños.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview with Forbes, DeLeon described Three Hearts Rum rum as sticky toffee in flavor with aromas of wood, spices, candied orange and vanilla.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Or shouted down a guest speaker with different opinions while clad in Crocs and a hoodie?—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 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
-
On most days, the surf is loud enough to mask the steady purr of cars.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The theology in such conflicts usually masks more primal power struggles and still tends to make the wars and warriors more fanatical and bloodthirsty.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Something always needs stabilizing, fixing or sprucing in a 174-year-old building.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gray ships were easily seen in profile against the sky and horizon by U-boat periscopes—was there a better color to paint them to help camouflage them from attack?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Gray ships were easily seen in profile against the sky and horizon by U-boat periscopes — was there a better color to paint them to help camouflage them from attack?—
Kory Stamper,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
