smarten (up)

verb

Definition of smarten (up)next
as in to primp

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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
  • Stitched Edges One of the easiest ways to dress up a true bare base, simply draw on stitches along the bottom curve of the free edge part of your nail.
    — Michella Oré, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The best thing about dressing up as Princess Leia on Halloween?
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 9 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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