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
During that meeting, Zelensky was chided by Trump and criticized by Vance for not being more dressed up in a suit.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2025
This man shows up dressed up like a Pentecostal deacon’s son headed to the 2018 NBA draft, only to end up a fifth-round reject.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
This swing dress is easy to dress up or down, with its casual V-neck design and short flutter sleeves.
—Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
Multiple other reviewers noted how soft and versatile this tank top is, including one person who said that it can be dressed up or down.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2025
This man shows up dressed up like a Pentecostal deacon’s son headed to the 2018 NBA draft, only to end up a fifth-round reject.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2025
This swing dress is easy to dress up or down, with its casual V-neck design and short flutter sleeves.
—Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
Multiple other reviewers noted how soft and versatile this tank top is, including one person who said that it can be dressed up or down.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
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What does dressing in motherhood look like for multi-hyphenate Halle Bailey?—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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Minutes later, a man dressed in red and white robes emerged.—
Ellen Wexler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The system would try to ensure these deals are not disguising pay-for-play arrangements.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 May 2025
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In August, another tried to disguise 1,220 packages of meth as watermelons, with each round package wrapped in paper and painted two shades of green to mimic the fruit.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Produced from single origin, unrefined sugar cane, the turbinado crystals offer honey-like flavor that’s not overly candied but rather a balanced profile that emphasizes the naturally sweet undertones of the agave.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Top the teeny-tiny treats with honey, icing, powdered sugar, or candied nuts, or leave them bare.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over an hour after the white smoke emerged, the new pope, clad in his papal vestments, stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and greeted the world.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
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Photo : David Fitzgerald A circular foyer clad in hexagonal tile introduces the home.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
8 May 2025
Verb
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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
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To further doll up your kitchen, Hilton’s main cutlery set features eight luxuriously golden knives with soft pink handles and gold accents.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2023
Verb
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As an injection, however, the anti-inflammatory drug can mask pain and injuries that could otherwise prevent a horse from competing. Injections of betamethasone, which come in a form called betamethasone acetate, are allowed up to 14 days before a race.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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This may have been a result of limited social contact due to social distancing, masking, school closures and lockdown measures, which reduced the spread of disease overall.—
Annette Regan,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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Pick from a number of different toppings to spruce it up, but if your stomach is feeling a little uneasy, order a plain bowl to help settle it down.—
Christina Liao,
Vogue,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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All Radiant Concealer True to the IT Cosmetics ethos, this concealer blends skincare with makeup, serving as a multivitamin serum while camouflaging all day sans creases or cracks.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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In need of an everyday uniform, Pulitzer asked her dressmaker for something to camouflage splashes of citrus juice.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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