dressing 1 of 2

noun

ˈdre-siŋ How to pronounce dressing (audio)
Definition of dressingnext
1
as in plaster
a medicated covering used to heal an injury nurses put a dressing over his cuts so they wouldn't get infected

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2
as in sauce
a savory fluid food used as a topping or accompaniment to a main dish tangy salad dressing that wasn't overloaded with corn syrup

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dressing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dress
1
as in bandaging
to cover with a bandage first wash and then dress the wound

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2
as in decorating
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming let's dress up the room with some greenery for the holiday party

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3
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure dress the granite block to be used as the headstone on all four sides

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4
as in clothing
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes dressed the young girl in satin and lace

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5
as in costuming
to put on one's best or formal clothes we don't usually dress for dinner

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6
as in growing
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care dress the beans by applying fertilizer once a week

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dressing
Noun
Framed costume designs by Messel line the walls, and the skirted dressing table is topped with a vintage perfume atomiser with a puffy spray bulb and, of course, a bowl of yellow roses. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 29 July 2026 Colored denim offers that balance and aligns with the broader trend for tonal dressing. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Verb
Start with a bright Greek village salad, featuring cucumbers and tomatoes and feta and a creamy ricotta dressing. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Thankfully, Amazon just dropped new fashion arrivals that bridge the gap between summer and fall dressing. — Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing
  1. plaster
  2. sauce
  3. bandaging
  4. decorating
  5. polishing
  6. clothing
  7. costuming
  8. growing
Noun
  • The teen was initially thought to have been grazed by a bullet, but her wound was later found to have been caused by debris and plaster from the wall, police said.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026
  • One of Nebel’s major works was still there — The Wrestlers, a huge plaster work of two sinewy men locked in combat, which had been his thesis as a student.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026
Definition of plaster
Noun
  • This 12-count variety pack features apple, apple-strawberry, and apple-banana sauces made with real fruit and no high fructose corn syrup.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The chain is known for pizzas with inventive toppings like Calabrian chili oil, al pastor and spicy refried bean sauce.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sauce
Verb
  • In theory, these shocks are supposed to fade, and the greater good is served by merely bandaging the complaints of lower-income groups until the headline metrics herald an apparent return to normalcy.
    — Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
  • After bandaging the bleeding leg Saturday, Bichette woke up sore Sunday, Schneider said.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of bandaging
Verb
  • For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Since pattern sandwiching isn’t exactly for decorating wallflowers, color (and lots of it) is welcomed.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of decorating
Verb
  • Ilham Aliyev continued his father’s dictatorial legacy, imprisoning his critics and enriching his family and cronies, while polishing his country’s image by hosting Formula One events and the Eurovision Song Contest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
  • For deeper etching, a polishing compound and pad may restore the finish.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • Not feeding the hungry, not tending to the sick, not clothing the naked, not welcoming the refugee.
    — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
  • This is like inviting a homeless person into your home, sheltering them, feeding them, clothing them, educating them, and having that person's confidant leak that the newly comfortable person doesn't think less of you.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • Sessa is an attractive young man with Tony's impossibly lean physique, who looks good in every single piece of 1975-era costuming.
    — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The seasonal job is part of her plan to eventually move to New York City and pursue her dream of working in wardrobe and costuming for Broadway, film and other productions.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 19 July 2026
Definition of costuming
Verb
  • Leaders in Springfield say the growing ICE presence many fear hasn’t yet materialized.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Around 70,000 people used the city’s designated Seine swimming areas in July, according to Paris City Hall, compared with nearly 100,000 during the entire summer last year, suggesting growing public interest in reclaiming the river for recreation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of growing

Phrases Containing dressing

Browse Nearby Words

dresses up
dressing
dressing-down
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Cite this Entry

“Dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dressing

Nglish: Translation of dressing for Spanish Speakers

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