Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
Verb
-
Murphy is obsessed with their maximalism: the richest of the rich, the most snatched of all waists, the plucked and primped and plumped and pressed.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025 -
Hundreds of them were on hand this week to primp and pamper more than 2,500 cows competing at what is widely considered to be the Westminster Dog Show of the cattle world.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The store had to be closed for several days while volunteers set the dolls up for display, and only 25 shoppers could be allowed in at a time for viewing because of the dolls’ values.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This mourning is also steeped in a deep appreciation for young Tabitha and a wistful wish that 1980s Trinbago had allowed that young girl to adorn her crown, to preen in its beauty, to relish in its versatility, to just live as a young Black multiracial woman.—
Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs,
Parents,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Its hero, Lee Raybon, played by Ethan Hawke, is a The Dude–esque detective-journalist, its baddies (played by Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Sparks, and Tracy Letts) glower and preen, and Keith David’s uneasy sidekick swings between humor and gravitas.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
This budget-friendly wreath is just $23 and instantly dresses up any door.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Striking a balance between a relaxed and tailored fit, these bottoms can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Smarten (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarten%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
