spruce 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sprucenext
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance a slim, spruce man in a tailor-made business suit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spruce

2 of 2

verb

as in to trick

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spruce
Verb
According to Bauhus’s research, climate change has rendered the Black Forest largely uninhabitable to spruce. — Kendra Atleework, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2026 Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up. — ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026 Something always needs stabilizing, fixing or sprucing in a 174-year-old building. — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026 Gallagher spent the first week of December sprucing it up, artfully decorating Christmas trees and doing her best to spread holiday cheer to the house's 150 families. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spruce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spruce
  1. elegant
  2. trick
  3. smart
  4. improve
  5. stylish
  6. embellish
  7. fashionable
  8. doll up
Adjective
  • Top 5 Can’t Miss A former family mansion, the elegant Villa Igiea is one of Palermo’s most opulent stays, with a history of hosting celebrities and royals during its early years.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Best Splurge At 7-feet tall, this bar cabinet is both elegant and dignified, pairing a walnut finish and forest green leather with brass hardware.
    — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence bots posing as immigration lawyers are increasingly prevalent on social media, where their goal is to trick immigrants and their families into paying out thousands of dollars.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Proponents argue this reveals the AI's full capabilities, including potential for cyberattacks, while critics warn of severe risks like AI wreaking havoc, creating viruses, or tricking humans.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • Buffalo’s pipeline remains robust, with a good mix of smart, mobile defensemen and dynamic forwards.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The leader's role, then, is less about being the smartest person in the room than about making the room smarter.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • The upgrade focuses on the aircraft’s mission systems, combining new hardware and software to improve situational awareness and reduce the workload on its crew.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • His stylish and souvenir models run up to 20 euros ($24) while the cheapest costs 6 euros.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Amazon’s fashion hub is home to a stylish selection of wrinkle-resistant travel pants for under $40.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • Use double-sided tape to attach a faux fur circle to the lid, and embellish the rim with colored tape.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
  • This darling sweater is embellished with 3D flower details that give it just the right amount of flair without feeling over the top (or too seasonal).
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • Editor’s Pick The dining chair from Herman Miller’s Comma collection left a positive impression on commerce director Lori Keong this past Seat Week, for its fashionable, yet comfortable construction.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The fashionable Spaniard emails me after completing her own detox, asking about my reentry into the real world.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
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

Phrases Containing spruce

Browse Nearby Words

sprouts
spruce
spruced
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Cite this Entry

“Spruce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spruce. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spruce

Nglish: Translation of spruce for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spruce

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