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
Relevance
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
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
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Recent Examples of dress up
Its vanilla and caramel base is warm and yielding enough to support the peach and rose rather than compete with them, and the combination has a richness that feels dressed up in all the right ways.
—
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
This maxi style is easy to dress up or down with its flowy, tiered fabric that’s designed with three-quarter-length lantern sleeves and empire waist.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
The longline fit and open front feels like being ensconced in your favorite blanket (even when seated in coach), but while the sweater can be worn casually, it can also be dressed up and worn with a maxi dress, wide-leg jeans, or even a silk midi skirt.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, here in New York, there are plenty of exhibitions, many of which have links to 2026's top trends, to dress up and go see.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
This maxi style is easy to dress up or down with its flowy, tiered fabric that’s designed with three-quarter-length lantern sleeves and empire waist.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
The longline fit and open front feels like being ensconced in your favorite blanket (even when seated in coach), but while the sweater can be worn casually, it can also be dressed up and worn with a maxi dress, wide-leg jeans, or even a silk midi skirt.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, here in New York, there are plenty of exhibitions, many of which have links to 2026's top trends, to dress up and go see.
—Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dress up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dress up
Verb
-
The girl's mother said he was dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask with only his eyes showing.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
How should tourists dress in Paris?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cami launched into her conundrum while Ember half listened, nodding often to disguise her own distraction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Li is suspected of involvement in offenses including operating gambling dens, fraud, unlawful business operations and concealing and disguising the proceeds of crime, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported, citing Beijing’s Ministry of Public Security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Korean Cheesesteak is still dripping in American cheese, but is also kicked up with a spicy gochujang sauce and candied jalapeños.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview with Forbes, DeLeon described Three Hearts Rum rum as sticky toffee in flavor with aromas of wood, spices, candied orange and vanilla.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Or shouted down a guest speaker with different opinions while clad in Crocs and a hoodie?—
Zach Przystup,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
On most days, the surf is loud enough to mask the steady purr of cars.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The theology in such conflicts usually masks more primal power struggles and still tends to make the wars and warriors more fanatical and bloodthirsty.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Bauhus’s research, climate change has rendered the Black Forest largely uninhabitable to spruce.—
Kendra Atleework,
Longreads,
12 Mar. 2026
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Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Gray ships were easily seen in profile against the sky and horizon by U-boat periscopes—was there a better color to paint them to help camouflage them from attack?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Gray ships were easily seen in profile against the sky and horizon by U-boat periscopes — was there a better color to paint them to help camouflage them from attack?—
Kory Stamper,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dress up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dress%20up. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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