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
  • Her sleek, elegant mini slip dress, the epitome of a timeless LBD.
    — Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • This assortment features presentation boxes, gift sets with elegant teaware, a chest of single steeps and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • Staten provided the missing link between his father and Yancy, who told the Double K rancher about the plan to trick his father.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • In 2014, Daniel Willingham gave advice on how to trick your kids into reading all summer long.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • The drivers are aging demographics, a growing short- and long-sighted population, and the smart eyewear boom; Euromonitor predicts a 48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to 2030 for the latter.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 July 2026
  • James Salmond, benefits director for the city of Atlanta, says the smart bassinet rental complements other employee benefits involving a newborn such as caregiver leave.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • With the aim of producing an addition 200,000 degrees beyond the 1 million already projected for 2030, the university set goals to improve its graduation rates.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Given the tools on show in the macOS beta closely match those on iOS, coupled with Apple’s push to unify as many of its operating system features, there will be some cross-platform data to improve this part of Siri AI.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • Now, there are various renditions of the utility sandals, including platform jelly styles and options with a stylish block heel.
    — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
  • Carry all of your summer stuff with stylish totes from Santa Barbara Design Studio.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • The piece was embellished with the French luxury fashion’s signature keyhole cutout, augmented by a gold outline.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
  • Beyond that, there is the knowledge that every game, every performance, every dramatic intervention on Argentina’s behalf, is embellishing a sporting legacy that already seemed complete.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • The key is finding pieces that are equal parts functional and fashionable—like Kylie Jenner’s all-black tank top and capri pants combination.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 19 July 2026
  • Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland, one of soccer’s most fashionable gents, showed off his namesake Breitling at a post-Cup reception in his home country.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
Definition of fashionable
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
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 28 Jul. 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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