as in to trim
to make neat
hurriedly sprucing up the hotel dining room before the breakfast crowd began showing up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spruce (up)
Verb
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Though the system managed only a dim glow, Lorna was still grateful for the flick of a switch rather than the toil of refilling oil lamps and trimming candles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026 -
Looking like an early aughts version of her mom, the model posed for a watery photo shoot in a sleeveless chiffon shift dress, as well as a a gauzy white sundress with spaghetti straps and lace trim.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Though well organized, none of the material had been digitized.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
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There’s no excuse not to keep your toiletries organized when this Eddie Bauer Voyager Kit costs just $5 at Marshall’s.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The partnership formed only after Wimbledon, arranged through Tien’s agent, despite the two having lived in the same Southern California tennis orbit for years without ever meeting.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Brick villas arranged in clusters have rooms in browns and creams; most come with balconies facing the Red Sea.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Spruce (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spruce%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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