PERKING (UP) Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

perking (up)

verb

present participle of perk (up)

as in brightening

to become glad or hopeful we perked up once the sun came out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

From low pH water toners to milkier formulas packed with brightening ingredients like rice extract—consider these picks as formulas that set the canvas for a supple complexion.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
The fragrance-free formula contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which are the best lightweight, skin-brightening humectants for hydrating parched skin.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of brightening

Verb

Looking down showed an unforgiving shaft to hard ground, while looking up only reminded me of the hundreds of feet left to ascend.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
The photo, printed in a local daily newspaper in Mississippi where McLain’s family is from, showed her mom holding baby McLain in her arms and looking up at a tall plant in her mother’s garden.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of looking up

Verb

Warner had the most eyebrow-raising quote of the 49ers’ postgame press conferences ahead of their 16-hour flight home, while many of his teammates sidestepped questions about the disparate approaches the teams had before the game.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
According to British media, Dimon warned the pair on Wednesday against raising the tax burden on banks in next month's budget.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of raising

Verb

This face serum brightens and evens skin tone, fights free radicals, supports collagen production and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles for glowing, healthy-looking skin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Still, given the national attention given last winter to the air conditioning not working properly in an Angel Stadium weight room, Neto said the evaluation from the Rams’ locker room was glowing.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of glowing

Verb

Pair it with jeans, dresses, midi skirts—pretty much anything, really—for an instantly polished look that adds an extra layer of warmth without taking up precious space in your luggage.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026
The tattoo has been arduous work for William, with setbacks and botched work taking up much of the past decade.

— Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of taking up

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.

Browse Nearby Words

perkiness

perking (up)

perks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perking%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perking (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

empirical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes