1
as in dresses
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 disguises
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 spruces
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 clothes
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 dresses up
With a pointed collar and breezy V-neck, polo sweaters act as a warm layer that instantly dresses up your outfit without a thought.
—
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses up
Verb
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Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Back then, she had been advised—free of charge—by stylist Bailey Moon, who dresses the likes of Morgan Spector and Cristin Milioti and is most widely known for having worked with Jill Biden and her family throughout president Joe Biden’s administration.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That big picture also disguises some fascinating trends.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
17 Dec. 2025
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To do so, Charlotte disguises him as Leroy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Jordan Coleman steps in as Cheyenne Barnes, a bold hairstylist whose confidence masks years of unresolved pain, while Tunde Oyeneyin plays Madison Truitt, a driven entrepreneur navigating success, expectations, and the search for real partnership.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
6 Jan. 2026
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To make a book rather than write one is to assemble something whose external form masks its more flexible potential.—
John Darnielle,
Rolling Stone,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Scientists have long theorized that the icy crust above the ocean conceals evidence of organic compounds and energy sources – the ingredients to life.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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Bedsure Twin Heated Blanket With a fleece top and faux shearling backing, the blanket’s thick fabric conceals the wires, giving it the feel of a cozy throw rather than a typical heated blanket.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The outdoor garden, pool and patio space make entertaining easy, and a rare two-car garage sweetens the deal even more.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
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A little bit of honey sweetens a refreshing mixture of pineapple or orange juice blended with strawberries, mango and banana for a refreshing summer drink.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The wrap-design, complete with pleated detailing around the waist, hides the midsection and highlights your natural shape without clinging too much.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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This wasn’t the reassuring notion that transcendence hides within the everyday.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This improves access for ions and molecules, which matters for batteries and chemical sensing.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
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Advocate improves employees’ health and retirement The company is also allocating $40 million to enhance program benefits, including offering free virtual care and expanded support for mental health, women’s health and menopause care.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Heather Rose explains how living quietly enhances her writing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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More critically, this is another update where Apple enhances iOS 26.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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