PERKED (UP) Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

perked (up)

verb

past tense of perk (up)

as in brightened

to become glad or hopeful we perked up once the sun came out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lifted

to move from a lower to a higher place or position the dog tilts her head and perks up her ears whenever someone speaks to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perked (up)

Verb

The green is equally luscious in texture, made with chicken thigh and skin, but intensely herbaceous, brightened with parsley, cilantro, poblano and jalapeño.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
In its latest incarnation, designed by the firm S9, the curtain wall has darkened and the electronic billboards brightened, so that the tower resembles a TV mount, more apparatus than architecture.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of brightened

Verb

There, local fishermen demonstrated their sustainable crayfish harvesting process, and as a spectacular touch, the helicopter lifted one of the crayfish tanks straight out of the ocean, giving our client a dramatic view of the abundant catch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
This act temporarily lifted the statutes of limitations, allowing survivors to sue their abusers regardless of when the harm occurred.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifted

Verb

Prosecutors Elizabeth Lipella and Taylor Collins presented evidence during the weeklong trial showing that the defendant and victim were in the same area when she was last seen, that Ryan looked up information on chloroform, alcohol and bleach.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
During the trial in the Tampa area, prosecutors pointed out that Kosowski repeatedly researched Cozzi and, days before the murder, looked up succinylcholine and its effect on the human body.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of looked up

Verb

During that time, the group raised thousands of dollars from the tobacco, gambling, and pharmaceutical industries, as detailed by a Washington Post report.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Born and raised in Callicoon, Doetsch returned to the area to retire after a career in Chicago.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of raised

Verb

But since then, the policies have been adopted uniformly, publicized clearly and elevated to play a more central role in campus life.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The veined turquoise at the center is further elevated by the white diamonds on the hour markers, bezel, and lugs.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of elevated

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.

Browse Nearby Words

perk

perked (up)

perkily

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perked (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perked%20%28up%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perked (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes