as in to dress
to try to make yourself more attractive by making small changes to your clothes, hair, etc., especially while looking at yourself in a mirror
The teenagers spent hours primping in front of the mirror on the day of the prom.
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Recent Examples of primp
Handlers at the 2024 National Dog Show Presented by Purina spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about getting different breeds ready for the big event and the amount of primping required.
—
Marina Watts, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Find it on Amazon Bring the Spa Home With This Facial Steamer
Turn your bathroom into a spa with this facial steamer kit that comes with eight tools to primp and prod the skin, just like a professional.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Photographed by Clémence Polès The next couple of hours felt like a rom-com montage—a bunch of girls playing, primping, and posing for pictures.
—Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2024
These seven stunning products (four of which are Best of Beauty Winners) are everything your giftee needs to primp before heading out the door.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for primp
Marina Watts, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Find it on Amazon Bring the Spa Home With This Facial Steamer
Turn your bathroom into a spa with this facial steamer kit that comes with eight tools to primp and prod the skin, just like a professional.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Photographed by Clémence Polès The next couple of hours felt like a rom-com montage—a bunch of girls playing, primping, and posing for pictures.
—Jessie Heyman, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2024
These seven stunning products (four of which are Best of Beauty Winners) are everything your giftee needs to primp before heading out the door.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 25 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for primp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primp
Verb
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Julia was dressed in a chic oversized suit (her specialty) and heeled boots and a white striped tie, while Roberts wore a semi-sheer black gown with minimal jewelry.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
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During this year’s All-Star Weekend, Colson did a stand-up comedy routine, opening for Leslie Jones and Cedric the Entertainer; Brooks dressed her in an all-leather getup from designer Karl Kani, the same designer Dave Chappelle wore in his classic 1993 Just For Laughs set.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The markets react, the politicians preen, and most Americans go about their day trying to just get to the weekend around the corner.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
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Adding a meta layer, when Brazilians see their compatriots act out this complex, preening for attention, this triggers even more chagrin about being Brazilian.—
Shannon Sims,
New Yorker,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primp. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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