1
as in dressing
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 disguising
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 sprucing
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 clothing
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 dressing up
It is also known for its elaborate costumes, with many attendees dressing up as their favorite characters.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
Rather than dressing up as a Disney character, incorporate polka dots, fun prints like leopard, and red-and-black motifs throughout your vacation wardrobe.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The fall collection adds another brick, as Falcioni seeks to reignite the pleasure of toying with tailoring and dressing up.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Andrew and King Charles embraced the cowboy lifestyle, dressing up in cowboy hats and bolo ties while watching the Calgary Stampede during a visit to Canada in 1977.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
These joggers are so cool right now, even for dressing up with a chic peacoat or blazer.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Not to be overly dramatic, but dressing up for the office is basically my nightmare.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
There are songs about dressing up in your Halloween costume, celebrating Halloween at school, and decorating the house in Halloween decorations.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
Rather than dressing up as a Disney character, incorporate polka dots, fun prints like leopard, and red-and-black motifs throughout your vacation wardrobe.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 Mar. 2026
The facile novelty of adultery is its own mask, a sexy way of dressing up a deep, frightened longing for security.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
The fall collection adds another brick, as Falcioni seeks to reignite the pleasure of toying with tailoring and dressing up.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Andrew and King Charles embraced the cowboy lifestyle, dressing up in cowboy hats and bolo ties while watching the Calgary Stampede during a visit to Canada in 1977.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
These joggers are so cool right now, even for dressing up with a chic peacoat or blazer.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Not to be overly dramatic, but dressing up for the office is basically my nightmare.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
There are songs about dressing up in your Halloween costume, celebrating Halloween at school, and decorating the house in Halloween decorations.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing up
Verb
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The play spirits us into the busy activities of a woman managing the daily economies of a Stratford household — dressing her children, taking care of provisions, fielding letters from a husband whose career keeps him away in London.—
Rhoda Feng,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
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The restaurant bakes the chicken and Caesar dressing into the dough to make Caesar crust and builds a chicken Caesar salad on top of it.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But there’s no disguising the noise.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The armed raids and worries about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents disguising themselves in the community are no longer day-to-day issues, but ensuring people still have a roof over their head is a constant battle.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Scientists mangled the message on masking.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Proposals to prohibit federal immigration agents from masking their faces have gained new life in states -- thanks in part to a court ruling that blocked the nation's first such law, in California.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last year, Pritzker signed an onerous bill sweetening firefighter and police pensions that will cost Chicagoans tens of millions of dollars more annually without extra help from the state.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Indiana lawmakers advanced a measure to require data center companies to fork over 1% of their sales tax exemption savings to local governments, sweetening the deal for local officials embroiled in the data center fights sweeping the state.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For older water stains or for camouflaging other stains, Mock advises following a process that aims to blend the stain with the surrounding area, as lifting the stain entirely isn’t possible without discoloring the leather.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
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The finish is like a veil with a light-reflecting brightness that does wonders at camouflaging darkness and discoloration.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The series will follow a brotherhood of stylish entrepreneurial men over 50 who share their expertise with men who need help elevating their looks, improving their physical and mental health and more.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
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The firm said switching rates are improving to five-year highs.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The justices sided with the parents suing over the California policy of concealing children’s gender transitions, which the school facilitates, from parents.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
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Forcibly disappearing people has long been a tactic by cartels to consolidate control through terror while also concealing homicide numbers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the county, the goals and objectives of the Ag Reserve include preserving agriculture, enhancing environmental resource value and open space, creating a functional, sustainable development pattern and minimizing costs to taxpayers.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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Applications will load faster and files will be easier to move, enhancing your workspeed.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing%20up. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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