1
as in brightened
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifted
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 perked (up)
Verb
-
The imposing exterior, made of natural Caribbean limestone and coral stone, is brightened up with turquoise gates and terrace railing.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026 -
But, as the evening progressed, the editor’s mood visibly brightened.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many commenters questioned why the ban on transfusions wasn't lifted entirely for one of the same reasons cited by Lösch regarding the use of one's own blood, that the Bible doesn't comment on it.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Operations at LaGuardia Airport were abruptly halted early Monday after a late-night runway collision between a regional passenger aircraft and an emergency vehicle raised safety concerns at one of the busiest air hubs in the United States.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
-
While both did not hit the island, the strike raised concerns that Iran’s missile range is potentially far greater than was previously thought, given Diego Garcia is well over 2,000 miles away from Iran.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After browsing through the day’s program, the future queen looked up and recognized a photographer—and acknowledged him in the sweetest way.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That was until Raleigh looked up at Arozarena and refused to shake his hand.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Andrea Riquier Oil prices popped back above $100 March 24, keeping gas prices elevated on doubts the détente in the Middle East will hold.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Dinner in Carrick goes elevated at The Oarsman, a modern Irish standout, or cozier at The Red Bank, where local produce meets a candlelit garden setting.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Perked (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perked%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
