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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Try a low stakes upgrade by brightening your profile photo, helping a simple hello travel farther right now.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026 -
With a steadily brightening Sun, when does the Earth either get too hot or too CO2-starved for the base of the food chain to survive?—
Scott K. Johnson,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
Verb
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But an array of issues ultimately lost La Roja the three points – and more worryingly, point towards some potentially bad habits that could cost this team a chance of lifting its second World Cup.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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After all, Spain has failed to advance beyond the round of 16 since lifting the World Cup in 2010, winning just three games during that run.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Shares are reportedly trading at a $600 billion valuation in gray markets but things are looking up, pushing out a market debut.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
-
Late night parties followed and alcohol flowed, and my memory is of talent of all ages lovingly looking up at the master with tremendous gratitude.—
Warren Littlefield,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The miscommunications have once again put the majority leader in a difficult position, raising questions about why the president seems intent on making his life more difficult.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Gordon said in kicking off his comments and raising a hand to reveal a rubber finger pad.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The pants have close to 6,000 five-star ratings and plenty of glowing reviews to boot.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
22 June 2026
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Humans of all ages, in fact, stare dazed into glowing screens.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Since taking up farming in 2019, Clarkson has become an outspoken agriculture advocate who has railed against the government’s decision to introduce inheritance tax on farmland in November 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Some states are taking up the issue.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Meteorologists warn above-average temperatures and low humidity from the Rockies to the Pacific are elevating fire danger.—
Valerie Gonzalez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
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The deal marks David Yurman’s debut on Fifth Avenue, a milestone moment in elevating a brand’s image while also growing sales.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
22 June 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 25 Jun. 2026.
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