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
Back in 2022, the mom of three shared a sweet image of the pair dressing up as zombies for Halloween by wearing scary makeup.
—
Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
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
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
Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
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
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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While other Coachella performers like Katseye and Lucky Brand collaborator Addison Rae have each carved out distinct aesthetic identities, festivalgoers are drawing less direct inspiration from performers’ styles, instead embracing a more individual and self-directed approach to dressing.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bimbofication is the act of dressing like an attractive dumb woman and acting out the part.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Two struggling male musicians witness a mob murder and flee by disguising themselves as women in an all-female jazz band.—
Rick Mauch
April 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
-
After tricking her way into her dream job, Liza discovers that disguising herself as a millennial and keeping her two lives separate is a job in and of itself.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And so there was a ripple effect from me not addressing that grief and trauma; from not respecting it, and running from it, and hiding it, and masking it with alcohol.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cats are adept at masking illness, a trait inherited from their wild ancestors where showing weakness could be fatal.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Coffee giant Starbucks is looking to encourage its baristas and hourly workers to improve their sales and customer service by sweetening the pot with bigger financial perks.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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There is even a small cabinet positioned right above the washing machine, which keeps laundry detergent accessible while camouflaging the plastic bottle.—
Lindsey Mather,
Architectural Digest,
7 Apr. 2026
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Woodbury’s world is full of misdirection, with sincerity masquerading as irony and the real camouflaging itself in the artificial.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But affordability is not improving as much as most experts had forecast.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Many technology companies issue vague proclamations about improving the world, then go about maximizing revenue.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rules aim to address noise, lighting and concealing landscaping.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
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Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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They are best suited for improving skin texture, softening fine lines and enhancing product absorption, allowing serums and treatments to penetrate more effectively.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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Rick and Deann Bayless last year were also honored with the Sandra Cisneros Award at the museum's Gala de Arte for enhancing the appreciation of authentic Mexican food and for their support for the performing arts, the museum said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing%20up. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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