dress up

verb

Definition of dress upnext
1
as in to dress
to put on one's best or formal clothes we always like to dress up when going to parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to disguise
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity the war was a fiasco that the administration tried to dress up as a triumph

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to candy
to make more desirable dressed up the house with new windows and a paint job before putting it on the market

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to clothe
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes the girls were dressed up in skirts or dresses, but the boys were wearing jeans

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dress up The region’s poppies played a starring role in the new collection, dressing up Santoni’s relaxed Papavero suede loafer. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 But dressing up your home for fall doesn’t require a designer budget, and Costco is one of the best places to prove it. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026 The Dream Jersey Cowl Neck Lounge Set is made with the same buttery-soft, breathable jersey fabric, but dressed up with a relaxed cowl neckline and drapey raglan sleeves for a look that feels a little more elevated. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 Character studies There was a phase when the parks played dress up with me. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
  1. dress
  2. disguise
  3. candy
  4. clothe
  5. doll up
  6. mask
  7. spruce
  8. costume
Verb
  • Everybody was dressed so sophisticated, and I was dressed in a Cinderella gown.
    — Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mikey Madison is still only in her 20s, but the Oscar-winning actress prefers a sophisticated and timeless style of dressing over trends.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dress
Verb
  • Members deliver speeches disguised as questions, trade insults with witnesses, and grandstand for social media.
    — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • His death sparked a Charlotte Observer investigation that exposed how fentanyl pills disguised as Percocets were sold for $7 inside Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools —specifically Hough High School — and was killing teens or landing them in rehab.
    — Julia Coin October 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of disguise
Verb
  • The edges caramelized and got nice and crispy—almost candied—while the centers stayed pleasantly soft.
    — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion, and candied jalapeños.
    — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of candy
Verb
  • Also on the premises are a striking one-bedroom cabin clad entirely in redwood, an outdoor movie pavilion, and sweeping mountain and city lights views from every vantage point.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Union members and their supporters were dressed colorfully, clad in red or green, and their march through the Brussels city center passed off peacefully.
    — Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of clothe
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
Verb
  • Hilton blamed Becerra’s tenure as HHS secretary, when the agency encouraged parents to mask and vaccinate their children against COVID-19, as counter-productive and not backed by scientific evidence.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The sins of 2003 were not merely in launching a war but also in how the story was told and masked.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of mask
Verb
  • If your outdoor space has been looking a little tired from the summer sun and storms, consider this your sign to spruce things up before the next season is in full swing.
    — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Prince Harry even spruced the place up to Meghan’s liking while the couple was dating, per People, and proposed to her in the walled garden outside of the cottage in 2017.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 June 2026
Definition of spruce
Verb
  • The finale began with part one of the three-part Head of Household competition, as the finalists were forced to hold on to a kite for as long as possible while dressed in some ridiculous Ben Franklin costumes.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The custom-fit suit is a near-torture device of costuming that severely limits my ability to move.
    — Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costume

Browse Nearby Words

dress rehearsals
dress up
dressy
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Cite this Entry

“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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