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
  • Its interior design matches the vibe, with elegant period-style design complemented by touches of country life—riding boots placed beside a cast-iron fireguard inside, terracotta pots next to Victorian wrought-iron chairs on the outdoor patio.
    — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Follow what feels elegant, interesting, and horizon-widening.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • Giovannoni showed that the free, open-source tool successfully tricked scammers into giving away their own private personal information, such as phone numbers, addresses, and even bank account details.
    — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Hackers have learned to exploit the public's anxiety about cybersecurity failures to trick people into revealing personal data.
    — Evan Zimmer, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • So, too, are the smart shops of Andrassy Avenue, a broad boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées, the Franz Litzst museum, and the glorious Hungarian State opera house.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The film introduces 8-year-old Bonnie’s new smart tablet, Lilypad.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • But the goal is to improve food access for vulnerable residents, Wang said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, Atrium Health and WakeMed announced a merger agreement, projected to improve access and affordability across the state, accelerate growth and jobs in Wake County and transform mental healthcare.
    — Eva Flowe August 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • While comfort was top of mind for Culpo, her breezy summer ensemble clearly delivered a stylish blend of loungewear and sleepwear worthy of replicating.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The set is made up of a basic tee and roomy shorts that feature contrast threading to give them some stylish edge.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • Mills has been previously accused of embellishing his military record.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Even his close friends accuse Bret of embellishing the truth for creative purposes, not incidentally an accusation both Ellis and Murphy have often faced.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • Over the decades, the principessa cake in particular has cultivated a devout — and fashionable — following.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • All of these newly fashionable hybrid shows campaigned for the Emmys as comedies.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Verb
  • 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
  • Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
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 11 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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