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
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Recent Examples of dress up
One Halloween, my dad and I dressed up as Scooby and Shaggy.
—
Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
On the first day of 2026, the actor and comedian continued his hilarious holiday tradition of dressing up for hockey games, this time showing up in full NHL referee gear to watch the Los Angeles Kings face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Jan. 2026
One congregant dressed up as Judah Smith for Halloween — beanie, glasses, Bible in hand — and shows off a photo.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
At a party where most guests were dressed up, the source told CNN, he was dressed casually in a hoodie, hat and jeans.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 Jan. 2026
On the first day of 2026, the actor and comedian continued his hilarious holiday tradition of dressing up for hockey games, this time showing up in full NHL referee gear to watch the Los Angeles Kings face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Jan. 2026
One congregant dressed up as Judah Smith for Halloween — beanie, glasses, Bible in hand — and shows off a photo.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
At a party where most guests were dressed up, the source told CNN, he was dressed casually in a hoodie, hat and jeans.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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Wear it like Hathaway with tailored trousers or dress it up with a sleek skirt for a soft, sophisticated look.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Lean into the femininity of the pattern by adding a polka-dot skirt or dress to your mix.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nominees for foundation’s the Noble Prize include Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, who was sentenced to 14 years in jail in 2014 for his democracy campaign, but managed to escape the country disguised as an electrician in 2020 while under house arrest.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
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Collectively, there is less tolerance for stubbornness disguised as conviction, as this transit favors multidimensional thinking and open dialogue.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Archery Summit 2023 Chardonnay has aromas of Anjou pear, citrus blossom, and mandarin zest with balanced acidity and flavors of honeydew and cantaloup melons, candied orange peel, and brown baking spices.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
2 Jan. 2026
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As for food, Wilson recommends collard greens, sautéed kale, cabbage and candied yams as other great side pairings for your mac.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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From statement kitchen islands clad in marble effect porcelain to entryway floors where guests can keep their shoes on without the guilt, this material delivers practicality and style in several spaces within a home.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
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In one shot from the campaign, Hailey also sits in a large chest of drawers, painting her toenails while clad in her Victoria's Secret lingerie.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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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It may be masked by his refinement, hidden behind his boyish Christmas-morning smile.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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There was also the ongoing speculation that Chalamet was leading a double life as the cult masked Brit rapper and drill artist EsDeeKid.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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The tint is sheer and subtle but makes a noticeable difference in evening out skin tone and camouflaging discoloration.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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Where that’s not possible, garages may be camouflaged in exceptionally creative screening.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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