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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dressing up
Verb
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Cooking with olive oil, drizzling it over vegetables, or whisking it into a salad dressing all count toward that 7-gram daily target.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
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Add dressing to lentil mixture; toss to coat.—
Maddy Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, however, misinformation demonized everything from vaccine science to the actual impact of masking to public health workers.—
Penelope Gatlin,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
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Maple and soy are terrific flavor partners for salmon, masking any slightly fishy flavor that turns off some eaters.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
18 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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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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Rinsing quinoa is really about improving the experience and allowing the ingredient to deliver on flavor and nourishment.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
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According to Asylon, the focus has shifted from adoption to effective integration, enhancing existing systems while improving efficiency and reducing friction.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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William Scott Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, Rhode Island faces four charges, which include conspiracy, disorderly conduct, shoplifting by concealing merchandise and interfering with a police officer.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Misprision of felony involves someone knowing a felony was committed, and concealing it and failing to report it to authorities as soon as possible.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The expansion is also expected to add more natural light, green space and a new lobby in the hopes of enhancing comfort and care for families, hospital leaders, who touted the tower as a ‘transformative project,’ said on Wednesday.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
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Work may need to be repeatedly translated between systems, increasing the effort required for alignment without necessarily enhancing output.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dressing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dressing%20up. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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