1
as in decked (out)
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in dressed
to put on one's best or formal clothes
we always like to dress up when going to parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in disguised
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
as in candied
to make more desirable
dressed up the house with new windows and a paint job before putting it on the market
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in clothed
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 dressed up
Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Track Pants These sporty bottoms are having a fashion moment right now, getting dressed up with heels, button-downs, and polished trench coats.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Then there’s Ashley, who dressed up as an Ass-stronaut and licked chocolate off Jassi’s chest.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
On September 27, the Goop founder got all dressed up for her birthday festivities in Portofino, Italy.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
This style is ultra-versatile, and the silver and grey colorway could easily be dressed up for everything from sightseeing to dinner out with friends.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
During her performance, Perry memorably sang while flanked by two backup dancers dressed up as sharks.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
When sovereignty is confiscated and freedom administered from the outside, when the terms of liberation are dictated, the result is not a democratic transition but a protectorate dressed up in the language of damage control.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
Track Pants These sporty bottoms are having a fashion moment right now, getting dressed up with heels, button-downs, and polished trench coats.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026
The handy bag goes with just about any outfit and can be dressed down for dog walks or dressed up for dinner out on the town.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Then there’s Ashley, who dressed up as an Ass-stronaut and licked chocolate off Jassi’s chest.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
On September 27, the Goop founder got all dressed up for her birthday festivities in Portofino, Italy.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
This style is ultra-versatile, and the silver and grey colorway could easily be dressed up for everything from sightseeing to dinner out with friends.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
During her performance, Perry memorably sang while flanked by two backup dancers dressed up as sharks.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed up
Adjective
-
Decorated in neutral tones with yellow hues, the rooms are stylish, with clean lines, and large windows illuminating the space, accentuated by the bright open-plan bathrooms.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
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Its stylish decor and pulsating music create an ideal backdrop for dancing the night away.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 18-inch tall dolls are dressed in the demon hunter outfits and include their battle weapons.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But none tops Halloween in 2009, when the Today show cast dressed like hit Star Wars characters.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As loyalty and conformity often disguised as anticommunism suppressed the fervency for civil rights that punctuated the war years, Du Bois’s conflict increased in intensity for a Black America expecting an improved quality of life in peacetime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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This generational shift is dismantling old hierarchies and exposing where control has been disguised as loyalty, teamwork or social acceptance.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
19 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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On Thursday morning, clad in his pajamas, Garcia, 55, shot both his sister and mother in back bedrooms inside the first-floor apartment before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Cruz, wearing a Santa hat, shimmied behind a boogieing Victoria, 51, clad in a form-fitting grey dress.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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There’s also a very chic gym here, which has a small selection of exercise equipment available for use at any time for guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Mules are the quiet MVP of a casual-chic outfit any time of year.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But who is this enigmatic maiden concealed behind a mask and uncharacteristically nervous about the ball?—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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The right to carry — either open or concealed — also does not extend to police stations, courthouses or correctional facilities.—
Paul Kiefer,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To start your day in a healthier way, choose unsweetened or lightly sweetened coffee drinks and higher-protein options, such as an omelet, Greek yogurt parfait, or high-protein overnight oats.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
8 Jan. 2026
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Naturally sweetened with dates and filled with chia seeds, this gourmet raspberry jam is great on toast, swirled into oats and yogurt, dolloped onto pancakes, served on charcuterie boards, or mixed into smoothies.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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