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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dressing up
Dinner offers upscale fare but with come-as-you-are attire, as most guests are focused on hands-on experiences rather than dressing up for a long meal.
—
Malika Bowling, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Little Sterling has also been experimenting with her style recently, with her mom sharing snaps of her dressing up as a cowgirl on Monday, April 27.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Three Los Angeles County residents will spend their weekends in jail for dressing up as a bear and trashing luxury cars for insurance money.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 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
Malika Bowling, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Little Sterling has also been experimenting with her style recently, with her mom sharing snaps of her dressing up as a cowgirl on Monday, April 27.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Three Los Angeles County residents will spend their weekends in jail for dressing up as a bear and trashing luxury cars for insurance money.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing up
Verb
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Williams, who serves as a co-chair for the 2026 Met Gala, is no stranger to making history—for both her athletic prowess and her confident, expressive approach to dressing on and off the court.—
Max Berlinger,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
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Alo Yoga’s fifth-ever Anniversary Sale is here, celebrating 19 whole years of dressing both everyday It-girls and celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Gerodemos and the other individual are also accused of disguising payments related to gambling as legitimate business expenses.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Nathaniel Jaymoni Urbeaz, 22, of Dedham, Massachusetts was charged with conspiracy, disguising to obstruct justice, disorderly conduct and interfering with a police officer.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hathaway’s White Queen floats with sweet highs and dark lows, her heavenly air masking a morbid psychosis.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Focus on removing odors at their source rather than masking them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Only sweetening the deal this year is the fact that her friend Anthony Vaccarello of Saint Laurent is co-chairing the hosting committee.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Don't Overlook the Finish For a novice home painter, going with a flat finish will afford the most forgiveness, camouflaging imperfections rather than drawing the eye to them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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The 89-page plan includes goals like adding new academic programs, improving student life, increased research opportunities and better community engagement.—
Samuel O’Neal
May 4,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
-
Maintaining and improving California’s bond rating is also critical to lowering costs.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Verb
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For those of us who aren’t able to tuck our bins into a garage, concealing them with a trellis, privacy hedge, or another creative fix can help maintain your curb appeal while also ensuring access doesn’t become a problem.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
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The main level opens through a 10-foot custom entry door to a foyer with Pierre Frey fabric wall upholstery and dual hidden doors concealing a powder room and a walk-in coat closet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Boys uncover evidence that Vought has been covertly administering the performance-enhancing chemical mixture called Compound V to newborns to manufacture Supes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
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It can even be grown in containers, enhancing beauty without taking up too much space.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing%20up. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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