1
as in gowns
a garment with a joined blouse and skirt usually worn by a woman or girl
what a lovely dress you're wearing today!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in looks
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality
another version of the Cinderella story but in modern-romance dress
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in bandages
to cover with a bandage
first wash and then dress the wound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decorates
to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming
let's dress up the room with some greenery for the holiday party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polishes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
dress the granite block to be used as the headstone on all four sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in clothes
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
dressed the young girl in satin and lace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in suits
to put on one's best or formal clothes
we don't usually dress for dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in grows
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care
dress the beans by applying fertilizer once a week
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 dresses
Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Evangeline Designs made the 18 bridesmaid dresses in cornflower blue for Fury’s May 16 nuptials with Noah Price on the Isle of Man.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
Aspiga marks its 20th anniversary with the launch of a special capsule collection that includes sweet tea-dresses, scarves and chic separates.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
And then there were the reports that Prince William wasn’t pleased that Harry appeared to be rushing into marrying the American former TV actor and that either Meghan or Kate Middleton were left in tears over a particularly contentious fitting for bridesmaids’ dresses.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
But so were the spirits of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn, conjured in slinky pastel gowns and silky unstructured dresses.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Reformation, known for feminine dresses, launched in 2009 and pledged to make clothes from leftover fabrics and pay its workers a living wages.
—Elizabeth Cline, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
People are mostly casual in shorts, sandals, vests, and tees at breakfast, but are more done-up at night in dresses, shirts, and trousers for 1818, the rooftop bar.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Grandstands that typically sit empty will again fill with patrons in tailored suits, flowing dresses and stylish hats as Laurel Park hosts the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Men in jackets and pressed slacks drift through the hallways with equally elegant ladies on their arms; when dinner time arrives, everyone dresses for the occasion, as did the generations of guests before them.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
For the uninitiated—and those without this excellent Instagram on your Explore page—the Sciura is a Milanese woman who dresses elegantly and impeccably.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Back then, she had been advised—free of charge—by stylist Bailey Moon, who dresses the likes of Morgan Spector and Cristin Milioti and is most widely known for having worked with Jill Biden and her family throughout president Joe Biden’s administration.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker dresses her mattress with these and is a fan of their design and breathable feel.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 29 Dec. 2025
Dyer was styled by Brad Goreski, who also dresses the likes of Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Ashley Park.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
From breezy linen pants to packable layers and day-to-night dresses, these pieces are designed to keep you cool and stylish on city breaks and tropical getaways alike.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Evangeline Designs made the 18 bridesmaid dresses in cornflower blue for Fury’s May 16 nuptials with Noah Price on the Isle of Man.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
Aspiga marks its 20th anniversary with the launch of a special capsule collection that includes sweet tea-dresses, scarves and chic separates.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
And then there were the reports that Prince William wasn’t pleased that Harry appeared to be rushing into marrying the American former TV actor and that either Meghan or Kate Middleton were left in tears over a particularly contentious fitting for bridesmaids’ dresses.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
But so were the spirits of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn, conjured in slinky pastel gowns and silky unstructured dresses.
—Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Reformation, known for feminine dresses, launched in 2009 and pledged to make clothes from leftover fabrics and pay its workers a living wages.
—Elizabeth Cline, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
People are mostly casual in shorts, sandals, vests, and tees at breakfast, but are more done-up at night in dresses, shirts, and trousers for 1818, the rooftop bar.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
Grandstands that typically sit empty will again fill with patrons in tailored suits, flowing dresses and stylish hats as Laurel Park hosts the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Verb
Alix Earle dresses in a red mini dress for NYLON's Miami Race Week residency at Miami Grand Prix 2026, presented by Mini USA, on April 29.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Men in jackets and pressed slacks drift through the hallways with equally elegant ladies on their arms; when dinner time arrives, everyone dresses for the occasion, as did the generations of guests before them.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
For the uninitiated—and those without this excellent Instagram on your Explore page—the Sciura is a Milanese woman who dresses elegantly and impeccably.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2026
Middleburg also dresses to the nines for the holiday season, with festivities kicking off the first weekend of December during a multiday affair known as Christmas in Middleburg.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Back then, she had been advised—free of charge—by stylist Bailey Moon, who dresses the likes of Morgan Spector and Cristin Milioti and is most widely known for having worked with Jill Biden and her family throughout president Joe Biden’s administration.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Jan. 2026
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker dresses her mattress with these and is a fan of their design and breathable feel.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 29 Dec. 2025
Dyer was styled by Brad Goreski, who also dresses the likes of Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Ashley Park.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 20 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses
Noun
-
But so were the spirits of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn, conjured in slinky pastel gowns and silky unstructured dresses.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
-
The pair even coordinated for the big moment, both wearing matching graduation gowns.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Laamb is unique for its spectacle, featuring elaborate costumes, protective charms, and rituals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
Rivers Comicon gives fans the chance to don their favorite costumes, connect with fellow nerds and meet the creators of beloved comic books.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The looks that walked down the runway also called upon the dream, soundtracked by a score that included blues icon John Lee Hooker and beloved French band Air.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The Morning Show star, 57, shared an Instagram post on Thursday, May 14, reflecting on some of her most popular banged looks throughout the years while giving some advice to fans who were thinking about getting a cut.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Among the first illustrators Vicki represented was Robert Grossman, who eventually became Annie’s dad — his art still decorates the walls.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
15 May 2026
-
My cabin had a neutral-toned color scheme with decor in varying shades of beige and a dark navy carpet, which was a nice contrast to the vibrant art that decorates most of the ship.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Confidence grows when pleasure and practicality can share the room.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
As resale increasingly shifts online and retail grows more automated, Vintage Store Day is ultimately betting that shoppers still want discovery to feel personal, local and a bit unpredictable.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
They were considered to have strange physical afflictions or weak mental attitudes, and some people with endocrine diseases were even dismissed as ‘freaks’ and heckled in circuses or locked away in institutions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The broader report examined consumer attitudes toward fast food, casual dining and specialty restaurant brands.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
His face adorns a banner at the Department of Justice’s headquarters, among others.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
-
His face adorns a banner at the Department of Justice’s headquarters, among others.—
Steven Sloan,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
