1
as in brightens
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifts
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 perks (up)
Verb
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Creative play brightens, and feelings gently soften as the Moon leaps into your 5th House of Affection.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026 -
Seeking a vitamin C that brightens without irritation?—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The seat cushion lifts up to reveal a storage compartment for a secret spot to keep books, blankets, and other items.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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That law also lifts Illinois’ nearly four-decade ban on new base-load nuclear power plants.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That extraordinary footage, along with video shot by bystanders and a 3D model created by CNN of the confrontation, shows Good and her wife challenging ICE officers – but also raises new questions about Ross’s tactics and decision to use deadly force.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a statement, Stanford student and Drop the Charges organizer Mark Allen Cu said the case raises broader questions about free speech and dissent on campus.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cumberland Gap Where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, Cumberland Gap sits in a valley that looks up at the famous gap in the Cumberland Mountain range from which the town gets its name.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
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The old, wrinkled one looks up at Helm’s mountain, at the sky above its summit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Recently, researchers have made a major leap forward by engineering a novel cathode material that dramatically elevates performance, bringing us closer to practical, high-efficiency thermal energy systems.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Though Robby Hoddinott was responsible for the track’s prickly guitar lead, the backing of bassist-pal Dave Torbert from New Riders of the Purple Sage elevates Weir and the song’s rhythmic bottom to something uplifting and downright prancy.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Perks (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perks%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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