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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There’s a brightening serum to keep your skin glowing long after vacation, a color-protecting shampoo to help maintain your summer highlights, and a gourmand fragrance with notes of sweet vanilla and earthy amber that linger on skin like a warm hug.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
1 Oct. 2025 -
The refreshing feel is perfect for depuffing and brightening tired eyes.—
L. Daniela Alvarez,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Phillies strung three consecutive hits off Blake Treinen, with Nick Castellanos lifting a soft double that cut the Dodgers’ lead to one and brought Vesia into the game.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The modernization plan also includes lifting the 1994 ban on closing rural post offices that covers nearly 4,000 locations.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The hockey world has looked down at Florida for decades and is having trouble adjusting to the idea of looking up, instead.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Things are certainly looking up in The City That Never Sleeps for its favorite basketball franchise (with apologies to the largely-unloved Brooklyn Nets).—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The nonprofit will provide scholarships and supportive services for families raising children with autism.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
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Prague Reuters — Billionaire Andrej Babis’s ANO party cruised to victory in the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election on Saturday, raising the prospect of a government that would boost Europe’s populist, anti-immigration camp and reduce support for Ukraine.—
Reuters 3 hr ago,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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From late March to mid-April, hillsides, parks, and city streets across the country overflow with the glowing pastel pink of sakuras.—
Kristin Braswell,
AFAR Media,
7 Oct. 2025
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Swift said that the album, which has received several glowing reviews as well as numerous ambivalent critiques, has been embraced by the Swiftie fandom.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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With King Charles’ health deteriorating, the Prince and Princess of Wales are taking up more royal duties, and their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, 91% of 18-34-year-olds said elevating women into government positions is important, while 81% or 80% of the other age cohorts said the same.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
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Goad joined The Tennessean in 2016 as the business and entertainment editor and has been critical to the company’s digital growth, leading a dramatic expansion of music and entertainment coverage while elevating its enterprise business reporting.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
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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 9 Oct. 2025.
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