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
  • Bodans adds depth to the neutral motif with glossy white countertops brightening up the kitchen.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The combination of citrus fragrance and airy, fluffy bubbles lifts your spirits, and the blend of brightening ingredients, including powerhouse vitamin C, smooths and evens skin.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of brightening
Verb
  • The allegations are that Givens took points from some examinees and added them to others, lifting some to the passing score of 270.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The high diesel costs continue to flow to other categories, lifting costs for transportation, warehousing and key inputs like chemicals.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of lifting
Verb
  • The defending champion Seahawks lost for the third time in four games and are now looking up at the NFC playoff standings and can ill afford many more slip-ups.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Johnson slipped out of the backfield and after about 15 yards started looking up.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of looking up
Verb
  • Going forward, Republicans must be guided by core conservative principles grounded in free market economics, defense of constitutional rights, and the protection of human life, religious liberty and parental rights in raising their children.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The 1983 Social Security reforms included changes to benefits, such as gradually raising the retirement age from 65 to 67, delaying the cost-of-living adjustment by six months and taxing Social Security benefits.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • This nebula, called the Red Spider Nebula, is scuttling around space while its central star, glowing bright red in the middle, ejects bursts of gas and dust.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t miss wearable glass costumes, an interactive botanical soundscape, glowing geometric light sanctuaries, and works by Dale Chihuly and other modern masters.
    — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • The rodents are taking up residence in backyards on First Avenue for the first time, local residents said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The Times reported last month that Waymo’s electric vehicles have been taking up space at public charging stations in San Diego County.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of taking up
Verb
  • Recently, dynamic chefs from Santiago have begun adding their touch to the region, crafting new culinary tours and elevating the work of emerging bodegas and wineries.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • In both areas, this technology is elevating the risk of miscalculation, unintended escalation, and mass destruction to a level higher than ever before.
    — Pedro Sánchez, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 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
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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 15 Nov. 2026.

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