1
as in brightening
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
Niacinamide and turmeric add a clarifying, brightening effect without irritation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026 -
Arguably, the most popular antioxidant is vitamin C, which acts like a force field around the skin while brightening in the process.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine making a catch on the sideline, getting tackled and looking up at Ed Reed staring back at you.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Suddenly, the Dolphins aren’t just looking up at Buffalo and Josh Allen for the next decade.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The central bank kept the benchmark interest rate steady in a split 8-1 decision, after raising it to the highest level in 30 years in December, ahead of snap polls that could see Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sharpen her advocacy for monetary easing and fiscal support.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
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There’s an absent father and a clueless, neglectful mother but the five Gilbert children — Lydia, Hugo, Annabel, Jeremy and Rosalind — are essentially raising themselves in an English country house of secret passages and worrying infestations.—
Chris Hewitt,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Glow-in-the-dark outsoles represent glowing engine headers, and the shoe’s color-shifting eggplant purple upper takes a page from custom car wraps.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
On Monday, the actress uploaded a new selfie showing off her glowing complexion.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Below, shop more pointed-toe heels (and a few flats) inspired by her outfit-elevating shoe.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
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In her three years as president of Santiago Canyon College, Jeannie Kim has taken the lead on a series of initiatives, with the goal of elevating the status of SCC from simply another community college to becoming a preferred choice for prospective students.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.
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