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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Several bright craters are visible brightening the dark lunar maria that cover swathes of the lunar surface, with impact ejecta streaking outward from some of the younger sites.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025 -
Support her post-grad skin with brightening serums, refillable lipsticks, and edge-control that actually holds during interviews and celebrations.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Apart from lifting the ban on social media, the protesters’ other demands included that the Prime Minister resign and that Nepal establish an independent watchdog body similar to an ombudsman to monitor corruption.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Nuno will be replaced by Ange Postecoglou, who was relieved of his duties by Tottenham Hotspur in June, just weeks after ending the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy by lifting the Europa League.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The agency, working with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, made SAVE free to states and allowed bulk searches, as opposed to looking up one person at a time — changes that were celebrated by many voting officials.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Things are also looking up off the field, with Denver building a $175 million headquarters that is scheduled to be completed next year.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Among them were countless era-defining releases that are still among the best movies ever made—of any genre—from the haunting Rebecca to the gripping Rear Window, and the ravishing Vertigo to the hair-raising Psycho.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
13 Sep. 2025
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There were times when raising kids, building careers, and paying bills felt overwhelming.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The results of Scourton’s first appearance weren’t particularly glowing.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
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There are more vibrant reds and glowing greens on heaven and earth here than are dreamed of in your typical color palette.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Those with routines to follow will want to check out the slim, weekly pill organizer from Vaydeer, and the Fyy Daily Pill Organizer is also great for organizing multiple medicine shapes, sizes, and quantities without taking up too much space.—
Emily Belfiore,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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However, the mother of four — who shares daughters Luna and Esti and sons Miles and Wren with Legend — also told PEOPLE last year that her husband had been taking up more of the cooking load in their house.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Those in the know have made a convincing argument for elevating the loungewear with miniskirts and kitten heels.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
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Morning sunlight signals the brain to wake fully, thus elevating alertness and setting the body’s internal clock.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 2025.
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