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
Of course, it’s made from the brand’s luxurious signature Italian leather, which dresses up any look from the office to the airport.
—
Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses up
Verb
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For the uninitiated—and those without this excellent Instagram on your Explore page—the Sciura is a Milanese woman who dresses elegantly and impeccably.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Crafted into undone bends, the style disguises flyaways and limp ends.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
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Shortly after arriving at the home just after midnight, Nelson downloaded a phone app that disguises the phone number of incoming calls.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The smell masks the insects’ chemical signals, confusing the aphids and affecting their ability to find food.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
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The headline performance masks some major swings beneath the surface.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Irving used a durable Dekton countertop and Brown Jordan cabinetry that conceals appliances and stands up to the elements, as well as flexible seating arrangements and discreet storage to keep pillows and furniture covers tucked safely away.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
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But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.—
Hugo Miller,
Bloomberg,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From spreading atop toast to dipping strawberries, chocolate-hazelnut spread instantly sweetens and delights.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
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House Family sweetens the deal with a $7 discount on bottle purchases when guests buy a $7 box of cookies.—
Debby Rice,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Hitting Tab hides most interface elements, however.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Defringe option in Affinity improves matters, but the software doesn't have an eyedropper to hone in on the offending shade of magenta.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
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But there isn’t evidence that adding B12 directly to tirzepatide injection is safe or improves weight loss outcomes.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Segel makes Dan a bitterly perceptive geek, out of his depth but eager to prove himself, while Weaving invests Lisa with a snappishness that only camouflages her pain.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses%20up. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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