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
-
Her strategy for brightening up the landscape?—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 May 2026 -
The lighter hued varieties are perfect for brightening dark porches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Tasks that must be completed quickly and require complex dexterity will be better suited to humans, whereas repetitive actions that include, for example, lifting heavy objects and low safety environments will be best for robots.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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Only two years ago, Madrid were lifting their record-extending 15th Champions League title at Wembley while some voices around the squad were telling The Athletic the dressing room was one of the most united in years.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In one photo, Bullock can be seen looking up at the sky as the younger versions of her two kids sit in her lap while wearing what appear to be Halloween costumes.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
Fiona said, looking up from her phone.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Israel’s national security minister inflamed the situation with a provocative visit to the contested Al Aqsa Mosque compound, raising concerns about Jerusalem’s status in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Brilliant knots of newborn stars, dark rivers of dust and glowing cavities carved by stellar winds combine to create a vivid portrait of galaxies in constant motion.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
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Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) also reveals the cooler dust spread across the galaxy, glowing at longer wavelengths and shown in blue.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
Verb
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As mentioned, lounges are often overcrowded, and taking up more than your fair share of space can frustrate fellow travelers.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
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The space will occupy 20,879 square feet, taking up a large amount of existing vacant space in the center, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Via one of popular music’s most stratospherically elevating climaxes, the song shifts into gospel overdrive with the explosive entrance of disco’s mightiest, most visceral vocalist, Loleatta Holloway.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
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There is a fine line between elevating the league and overshadowing it.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
10 May 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 16 May. 2026.
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