1
as in dresses
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 disguises
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 spruces
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 clothes
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
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Recent Examples of dresses up
Creamy Parmesan sauce dresses up bowtie pasta, collard greens, asparagus, and peas for a simple and nutritious main course.
—
Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, it’s made from the brand’s luxurious signature Italian leather, which dresses up any look from the office to the airport.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
With a pointed collar and breezy V-neck, polo sweaters act as a warm layer that instantly dresses up your outfit without a thought.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, it’s made from the brand’s luxurious signature Italian leather, which dresses up any look from the office to the airport.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
With a pointed collar and breezy V-neck, polo sweaters act as a warm layer that instantly dresses up your outfit without a thought.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses up
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
Verb
-
The couple themselves — Marguerite (Mélanie Thierry) and Pierre Donnadieu (Vincent Macaigne) — are, for the most part, personable, but their generosity disguises a cultural condescension.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
-
The skirt section is a-line, which disguises flaws and flows beautifully.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The aroma masks the smell of tomatoes, working to deter thrips and other garden pests from finding your crop.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
While his bravado initially masks fear, Billy ultimately reveals unexpected courage, emerging as an unlikely ally as danger escalates.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
In Vidal’s telling, the trashy sensationalism of Hearst’s proto-clickbait conceals a tremendous political power.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
While the joy of the wedding barely conceals an undercurrent of pain, that scene infuses the film with a jolt of energy, helping the viewer to exhale for the first time.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The grapes will still get the sugar that sweetens them from the surrounding leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Get the recipe > Maple syrup sweetens the spice paste—fragrant with cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—used to marinate a whole bird in this hearty supper from British Indian chef Romy Gill.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Robert hides his Congolese identity for fear of being deported, or not being allowed education or work.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
The complaint alleges the system hides real-world costs from children who lack the ability to navigate layered currency conversions.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Brands that effectively integrate technology into their customer experience (in a way that improves that experience) can begin to leverage 21st-century brand-building to keep their strategic flywheel turning.—
Clifford Hudson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Its direct proximity to subway access also improves mobility around the city for many travelers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
Segel makes Dan a bitterly perceptive geek, out of his depth but eager to prove himself, while Weaving invests Lisa with a snappishness that only camouflages her pain.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses%20up. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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