smartening (up)

verb

present participle of smarten (up)
as in prinking

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smartening (up)
  1. primping
  2. dressing up
Verb
  • Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine, below.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • The small reception desk seems tight on space, but most employees are out in the lobby welcoming guests, straightening pillows in the waterfront lounge, and primping the magnificent flower arrangements anyway.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of primping
Verb
  • The Gossip Girl alum, whose on-screen alter ego was rarely one to shy away from a fabulous party and who, IRL, famously styles herself, has long shared that affinity for dressing up.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But dressing up for Kardashian is also about designer glamour.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of dressing 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.

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smartening
smartening (up)
smartens
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Cite this Entry

“Smartening (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smartening%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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