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.
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Recent Examples of dress up
Rather than dressing up as a Disney character, incorporate polka dots, fun prints like leopard, and red-and-black motifs throughout your vacation wardrobe.
—
Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
There’s no pressure to dress up or follow a formal dining script.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
The Miami players, dressed up in dark suits with the club crest, entered the East Room first.
—Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
There’s no pressure to dress up or follow a formal dining script.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
The Miami players, dressed up in dark suits with the club crest, entered the East Room first.
—Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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Its light and nutty flavor nicely complements the tangy lemon dressing.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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The transition from cutesy, overly frilly looks into something sleeker can boost their confidence and teach them valuable skills in dressing oneself in a way that honors their self-expression and changing sartorial needs.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That day, his Tahoe had been disguised with both an Uber decal and an out-of-state license plate.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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Others describe it as surveillance disguised as support.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The most recent version was an elegant assemblage of more cohesive cake with orange supremes and chocolate ganache and chocolate sauce and candied orange peels.—
Mike Sutter,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Inside were candied almonds and hazelnuts in coatings the colors of raspberries and coffee, basil and lemons.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Regardless of the exterior hue, the interior comes clad in Tartufo full Merino leather trimmed in Alpina Walnut Nature Black and black floor mats.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2026
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Oh, sure, Spidey's regular red and blue suit is snazzy, but this Lego Iron Spider-Man bust sees the superhero clad in the outfit that Tony Stark made for him.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 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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The smell masks the insects’ chemical signals, confusing the aphids and affecting their ability to find food.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
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These include El Niño, volcanic eruptions and the solar cycle, which influence temperatures in the short term, masking long-term changes.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Something always needs stabilizing, fixing or sprucing in a 174-year-old building.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dark wash jeans and jackets flexed their versatility, paired with everything from cropped tweed jackets to camouflage cargo shorts and slouch boots.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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