1
as in brightening
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 lifting
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 perking (up)
Verb
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Ferulic acid boosts that brightening trio, while niacinamide and tangerine peel extract help even things out over time.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026 -
That lush indoor garden brightening your living room could be hiding a serious risk.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Classical music groups in the Twin Cities are rising to the task, with offerings aimed at lifting the spirit, probing the soul, and creating a hopeful vision forward.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
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The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s $5 mil more than what Melania reportedly cost, so things are looking up for ol’ Bezos.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
22 Mar. 2026
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Look, there’s nothing that impacts the American voter like pulling into a gas station, looking up at those big numbers, and seeing a four as the first number, and then God forbid, seeing a five.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unseasonably warm temperatures continue to take a toll on Colorado's snowpack, raising concerns about dangerous avalanche conditions across the high country.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Past grand juries have issued reports raising awareness of shady land deals, questionable legislative appropriations and officials slow-walking public records requests.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At one point, there’s a montage that bounces between Irene practicing at the ballet bar, almost glowing with angelic light, and Soames signing his name onto documents at the office.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
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Now, thanks to a raft of glowing reviews, sky-high audience exit-polling scores, and commensurate word-of-mouth buzz, Project Hail Mary is well on its way to recouping its $200 production budget (which does not include another $150 million or so in prints and advertising costs).—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
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There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The series will follow a brotherhood of stylish entrepreneurial men over 50 who share their expertise with men who need help elevating their looks, improving their physical and mental health and more.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Chula Vista City Council approved four upper-management appointments during a closed session last week, filling vacant deputy city manager positions and elevating veteran staffers to director roles in public works and finance.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Perking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perking%20%28up%29. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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