perking (up)

verb

present participle of perk (up)
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)
  1. brightening
  2. lifting
  3. looking up
  4. raising
  5. glowing
  6. taking up
  7. elevating
Verb
  • Even with their fortunes brightening in Michigan, Republicans are clear-eyed about the headwinds this year.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Made with a peptide complex and vitamin E, the patches reduce lines and wrinkles while plumping and brightening your skin.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Definition of brightening
Verb
  • Maresca is known for his attention to detail and will be hoping Semenyo’s skillset on the pitch brings the club back to lifting domestic and European trophies.
    — Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Workday shares jumped 18% in reaction, lifting its market value to $51 billion from about $43 billion.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of lifting
Verb
  • But now, after a meeting between father and son last year, and one including Camilla, Meghan and the kids, things are looking up.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Black Frankenstein, Superfly Snuka droned, without looking up from his clipboard.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of looking up
Verb
  • Previous contracts establishing long-term benefits have been set in increments of 10 or even 20 years, raising the stakes for labor and the state.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The war in the Middle East has made cargoes more scarce and, in turn, more expensive, raising the prospects of another energy crunch.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • Observers can also catch a glimpse of the sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, glowing around the silhouetted moon.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nicole Kidman looked glowing, relaxed, and carefree while on a boating trip in Mykonos, Greece on August 5.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • One-and-done dressing means one less outfit to plan—and fewer pieces taking up precious suitcase space.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sort the list, prep the meal, or handle the task that has been quietly taking up brain space.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of taking up
Verb
  • His time in Congress runs counter to voters elevating fresher voices this year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Partnering with premium consumer brands that bring instant recognition while elevating the guest experience.
    — Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of elevating
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

“Perking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perking%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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