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
Some wealthy members of the Casa Cipriani club in the Battery Maritime Building sometimes forget to dress up.
—
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Tony Elar, 26, and Carol Jaworski, 64, dressed up in military garb from the French and Indian War period.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
These are super cute and can be dressed up in a summer dress or down in shorts.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
But the dial is dressed up in a new, very much in-vogue salmon hue, rather than silver, creating a punchy juxtaposition with the blued titanium hands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Tony Elar, 26, and Carol Jaworski, 64, dressed up in military garb from the French and Indian War period.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
These are super cute and can be dressed up in a summer dress or down in shorts.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
But the dial is dressed up in a new, very much in-vogue salmon hue, rather than silver, creating a punchy juxtaposition with the blued titanium hands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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Senate Democrats, with all the women dressed in white, stood in the well in defiance.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
When McDaniels either didn’t dress or played fewer than 30 minutes this season, the Timberwolves are 4-15 against teams that finished the regular season with winning records.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Because Lee Corso has spent most of his 90 years teaching life lessons disguised as football lessons.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
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Automakers, however, continue to use forms of dazzle camouflage to disguise prototype automobiles from other manufacturers and the media during testing.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The official tasting notes describe crisp oak, sweet vanilla, and candied fruit on the nose, followed by ripe berries, honey, and caramel on the palate, finishing with cherry and creamy barrel tones.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
While some contenders tasted nearly candied, the sugar here was just enough to balance the other flavors at play.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The musician proved yet again her prowess for making even the most outlandish of outfits seem suddenly downright wearable yesterday in Venice, where she DJed at the Biennale, clad in look 80 from the fall 2026 Bottega Veneta collection by Louise Trotter.—
Max Berlinger,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
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There are 45 rooms beside and above the spa, all clad in Byzantine colours of muted gold and deep red.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 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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Even Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, hasn't been able to fully mask his frustration with the other chamber.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
The aroma masks the smell of tomatoes, working to deter thrips and other garden pests from finding your crop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
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According to Bauhus’s research, climate change has rendered the Black Forest largely uninhabitable to spruce.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
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Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bongos are shy and can camouflage despite their distinct white stripes, and these attributes are critical for their survival in the wild.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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Learn how to camouflage your trash cans to improve your home's curb appeal while still maintaining easy access to the bins.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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