smarten (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
Verb
  • The gladiators are primped by stylists and costume designers before the blood flows.
    Bob Minzesheimer, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Seymour shared a glimpse of the show’s backstage glamour as she was dressed and primped for the catwalk.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Always one for innovation, MacKenzie-Childs has been known to doll up its hero products in a vast variety of designs to suit every last stylistic preference.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 17 July 2025
  • Toddler girl wearing striped shorts and vest set propping her baby doll up against a wall to take a photo.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The circuit itself is decorated to fit the same era, and spectators are encouraged to dress up in outfits from the 1940s, 50s and 60s – with practically everyone getting into the spirit.
    Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To anyone with a hint of a pleaser in them, those questions will remain poignant no matter how little Swift’s life resembles their own—as concert crowds who dress up in Swift’s image readily attest.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Smarten (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarten%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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