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
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More than a body moisturizer, Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is a transforming treatment, packed with peptides plus lifting and brightening agents to visibly tighten and even skin tone.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026 -
Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And to combat those rising prices, The white House took the remarkable step Friday of lifting sanctions against Iranian oil already at sea and ready to be delivered.—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Trump’s Treasury Department on Friday made its latest attempt to get a handle on the soaring gas prices, by lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil for the first time in decades.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s $5 mil more than what Melania reportedly cost, so things are looking up for ol’ Bezos.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
22 Mar. 2026
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Look, there’s nothing that impacts the American voter like pulling into a gas station, looking up at those big numbers, and seeing a four as the first number, and then God forbid, seeing a five.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Rochester Township Council held its regular meeting on Thursday evening, and it was packed with people who were raising concerns about chemical odors lingering in their neighborhood.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Federal officers have used administrative warrants to do so, raising concerns that constitutional protections are being skirted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At one point, there’s a montage that bounces between Irene practicing at the ballet bar, almost glowing with angelic light, and Soames signing his name onto documents at the office.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
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Now, thanks to a raft of glowing reviews, sky-high audience exit-polling scores, and commensurate word-of-mouth buzz, Project Hail Mary is well on its way to recouping its $200 production budget (which does not include another $150 million or so in prints and advertising costs).—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trading pencil skirts for scrubs and pilot uniforms, many women are making waves by taking up space in high-paying industries.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
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There are no indications that Congress is taking up the legislation.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The series will follow a brotherhood of stylish entrepreneurial men over 50 who share their expertise with men who need help elevating their looks, improving their physical and mental health and more.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Chula Vista City Council approved four upper-management appointments during a closed session last week, filling vacant deputy city manager positions and elevating veteran staffers to director roles in public works and finance.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 2026.
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