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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Company executives demonstrated using the virtual assistant for various everyday tasks, such as looking up the date of a concert, shopping for a backpack or planning a soccer watch party.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
8 June 2026
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Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty may not have enjoyed the success he’s been used to in his first season with the Las Vegas Raiders, but things may be looking up for the former Bronco in 2026.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 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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Cellphone footage shows two glowing red orbs floating across the sky.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
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Speaking about the division race during the teams series this week, New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns offered a glowing assessment of the rival club that has become one of the National League’s toughest opponents.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
14 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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As the restaurant evolved — eventually elevating its experience and moving downtown — so did its beverage program.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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Hot temperatures and wind gusts are elevating wildfire risks in parts of Southwest Idaho and the south-central part of the state, according to the National Weather Service.—
Don Sweeney,
Idaho Statesman,
15 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 23 Jun. 2026.
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