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
Best Petite Work Pants on Amazon Not to be overly dramatic, but dressing up for the office is basically my nightmare.
—
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Fans of the Spurs are also celebrating the NBA finals by dressing up their pets, mostly corgis, in the team's merch.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party also took the discourse offline this week, dressing up as the insect to clean up India’s notoriously polluted Yamuna River in Delhi, according to news reports.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Rachel Smith, co-organizer of the convention and co-founder of Mermaid and Mom, a mermaid party entertainment business, told The Sacramento Bee in 2025 that the California Mermaid Convention brings together water enthusiasts who care for the environment and love dressing up.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Bad Bunny went full costume, carrying a cane and dressing up as an older version of himself with gray hair and special effects makeup to add years to his face.
—Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 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
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Fans of the Spurs are also celebrating the NBA finals by dressing up their pets, mostly corgis, in the team's merch.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party also took the discourse offline this week, dressing up as the insect to clean up India’s notoriously polluted Yamuna River in Delhi, according to news reports.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
Rachel Smith, co-organizer of the convention and co-founder of Mermaid and Mom, a mermaid party entertainment business, told The Sacramento Bee in 2025 that the California Mermaid Convention brings together water enthusiasts who care for the environment and love dressing up.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026
Bad Bunny went full costume, carrying a cane and dressing up as an older version of himself with gray hair and special effects makeup to add years to his face.
—Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing up
Verb
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The set dressing on the balloon task temporarily derails the episode.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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There were cartoons while dressing children, evening news while cooking dinner, and, before bed, families watched mutely as onscreen families laughed and talked.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Don’t sleep on this two-piece lounge set, which is made with 100% cotton in a gauzy finish, ideal for disguising any wrinkles.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
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And with that pairing, there can be no disguising their ambitions of a second Super Bowl title since their return to Los Angeles, and to win it again at SoFi Stadium.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
1 June 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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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
Verb
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But there's a fundamental difference between masking and removing odors.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
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Because Evan is masking his own feelings.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Verb
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For more than 75 years, a strong partnership between universities and the federal government has made this leadership possible—fueling innovation, strengthening our economy and improving the human condition.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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The foundation aims to find new ways to expand today’s tent of philanthropists dedicated to improving their surrounding areas.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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What in the world are those overgrown basketballs doing up there?—
Rui Bo,
The Conversation,
18 May 2026
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Wednesday’s practice started with some of the players doing up-downs after forgetting equipment.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The tint is sheer and subtle but makes a noticeable difference in evening out skin tone and camouflaging discoloration.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Dressing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing%20up. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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