smarten (up)

verb

Definition of smarten (up)next
as in to primp

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
  1. primp
  2. doll up
  3. preen
  4. dress up
Verb
  • Hair that has never looked more posh or perfectly primped—I’m officially hooked.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 28 July 2026
  • Troye Sivan arrives primped for the Prada dinner during Milan Fashion Week on June 21.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Definition of primp
Verb
  • Hanging out was one thing, but the group also wanted to doll up the Potter franchise’s Ron Weasley.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And Millie Bobby Brown echoed a similar sentiment on her story, sharing Hottle's memorable shot holding a handmade King Kong doll up to the giant ape.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of doll up
Verb
  • Trump has already accepted a set of Olympic medals from LA 28 chair Casey Wasserman and will preen as a man of consequence for the world when the Games come to Los Angeles in two years.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Observe black cockatoos preen in the drooping she-oaks, or marvel at the Dali-esque outback, filled with its skeletal mallee trees.
    — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
Definition of preen
Verb
  • In past episodes, this has meant dressing up as Sigmund Freud in Vienna, singing with The Irish Tenors in Dublin, and facing off with a python in Bangkok.
    — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Something Sculptural As the name would suggest, the Rodin stool from Arhaus has a sculptural appeal—it can be easily assimilated into a sophisticated bar setup, or used to dress up a more casual breakfast bar.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dress up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

smartens (up)
smarten (up)
smarties
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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 20 Aug. 2026.

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