1
as in to brighten
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
the dog tilts her head and perks up her ears whenever someone speaks to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perk (up)
Verb
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The hoisin sauce adds glossy sweetness and umami depth, while fresh ginger brightens things up.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025 -
The SoCal spot is growing in popularity with a vibrant surf culture and mood-thawing weather to brighten up travelers’ winter days.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mpisi said that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both helped clean her up and lift her spirits after the spill.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Nov. 2025
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On your straight leg, tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh and slowly lift your leg to the height of your bent knee or slightly higher.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s lack of specifics on his new 10% Canada tariff raised key questions for Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Owsley Brown Frazier, a fourth-generation descendant of George Garvin Brown, alone raised more than $500 million in his lifetime.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While there have been many fine adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim's performance as the miserly, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge elevates this version to must-see status.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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There’s that kind of intensity and fuel that has fanned the fire of Mirador in someways that’s really elevated the band and the performances.—
Gary Graff,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Perk (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perk%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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