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
Allie dresses up as Jennifer Lopez—plunging green Versace dress and all.
—
Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
Creamy Parmesan sauce dresses up bowtie pasta, collard greens, asparagus, and peas for a simple and nutritious main course.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
Creamy Parmesan sauce dresses up bowtie pasta, collard greens, asparagus, and peas for a simple and nutritious main course.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses up
Verb
-
While both draw big crowds and, like the pope, Bad Bunny often dresses in white, their messages are contrasting.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
-
The most famous Colombian fan is Gustavo Llanos, known as El Cole (Birdman), who dresses like a tri-colored bird and has been to every World Cup Colombia participated in since 1990.—
Michelle Kaufman
May 29,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Chives’ strong scent naturally disguises the scent of pepper plants from pests.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2026
-
The couple themselves — Marguerite (Mélanie Thierry) and Pierre Donnadieu (Vincent Macaigne) — are, for the most part, personable, but their generosity disguises a cultural condescension.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The rye component adds a bit of peppery, spicy snap, while the bourbon proportion smooths and sweetens the overall whiskey.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
The grapes will still get the sugar that sweetens them from the surrounding leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chris Richards, from Alabama, is an uncompromising defender whose Afro towers above the back line and whose lankiness masks a quickness that covers gaps in the American half.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
-
The aroma masks the smell of tomatoes, working to deter thrips and other garden pests from finding your crop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Traffic management will begin four hours before each match and continue up to four hours after, with residents divided on whether the requirement improves safety or creates an inconvenience.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
Operators might buy new server racks every couple of years as the technology improves.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Levi’s Cinch Baggy Jeans The jeans' roomy silhouette achieves sweatpants-level comfort without compromising style, enhances airflow, and conceals lines for a flattering fit.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
-
This sleepy surface conceals the racial and religious tensions between locals and the transient workers who cross the border for employment.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
If the tile goes mid-way up the wall, the designer recommends choosing a paint color that enhances the tile’s color, either a similar hue or a complementary tone.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
-
This enhances France’s capability to maintain its operational superiority in contested and high-intensity airspaces.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Gibbard hides from rain, opts for Irish goodbyes, and resorts to giving himself pep talks to drag himself out of bed.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2026
-
Even Adam’s irritable female boss, Suzie (Sasheer Zamata), hides under a people-pleasing mask.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses%20up. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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