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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dressed up
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The problem arises when advocacy is dressed up as neutral expertise and then insulated by near-permanent tenure.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This includes versatile two-piecers that can be easily dressed up or down, or mixed and matched with other, dressier pieces in your wardrobe.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
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
Verb
The Eurythmics' Dave Stewart couldn't help but laugh at his bandmate, Annie Lennox, dressed up as Elvis for the 1984 show.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
The problem arises when advocacy is dressed up as neutral expertise and then insulated by near-permanent tenure.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
This includes versatile two-piecers that can be easily dressed up or down, or mixed and matched with other, dressier pieces in your wardrobe.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressed up
Adjective
-
The brand has amassed a following of loyal travelers who live for its sleek, stylish, and functional bags.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The TiLink is a stylish bracelet that doubles as a 24-in-1 multifunctional toolkit.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 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
-
The truth is that the first financial decisions after a sale are often emotional decisions disguised as strategy.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The unlikely match meet at the Bridgertons’ masquerade ball, where Sophie is disguised for the evening as the mysterious Lady in Silver.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That includes the Nibby Toffee, complete with nutty Zorzal Comunitario and Dominican Republic cocoa nibs for that extra crunch; Orange Walnut Toffee, which lets candied California orange shine; and a fun Black Sesame Toffee Brittle for a thin, crispy finale.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
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Add a forest of fruit trees including figs, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, peaches, pears and something called Buddha’s Hand, an unusual citrus tree whose fruit is often candied, but also serves as a unique and unusual adornment.—
Irv Erdos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Jan. 2026
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
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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
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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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For a chocolatey snack, Raj Dasgupta, chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis, mixes plain or lightly sweetened Greek yogurt with unsweetened cocoa powder and berries.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Regardless of how it’s sweetened, most konjac jelly is gluten-free.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressed%20up. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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