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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
  • That’s why this skin tint, which has hydrating squalane along with brightening vitamin C and SPF for sun protection made my list.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Crepe Control® Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of brightening
Verb
  • Between 2027 and 2029, the heavy lifting shifts to intentional operating-model convergence.
    — Rajjie Sarmey, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the report, Shedd veterinarians said preexisting sickness likely compromised the whales’ health and left them vulnerable during the relocation process, which involved lifting the belugas by crane and flying them across international borders.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of lifting
Verb
  • And even when looking up close, the stylobate would look curved, not straight.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
  • And now nearly three decades later, cyclists say things are looking up.
    — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of looking up
Verb
  • Eckhart disputed the network’s explanation and alleged she was fired in retaliation for raising concerns about harassment and a toxic workplace.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Leaders with bold strategic plans, meaningful missions and capable teams … who are somehow still raising roughly the same dollars year after year.
    — Sherry Quam Taylor, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • And, as the popularity of K-beauty has spread, more and more travelers are flocking to South Korea in hope of achieving the glassy, glowing skin Instagram feeds are replete with.
    — Anna Haines, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pastel Colonial buildings lined the streets, their facades glowing in the afternoon sun, while the plazas hummed with life.
    — Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • Some are banning their kids from taking up football; others defend it for building bonds and teaching life skills.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This September, the facility welcomed 34 kits from seven litters, marking the most productive season in its 25-year history of taking up the project.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of taking up
Verb
  • While mostly casual and pared-back, the classic jeans-and-T-shirt combo didn’t stop the actress from elevating her late-night look.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Five-year board member Tim Blackburn, a historian for the society for about a year, said elevating knowledge about the archives is important.
    — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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