1
as in brightening
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifting
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 perking (up)
Verb
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Hospital staff rearranged the lobby's furniture and assembled floral bouquets and greenery, brightening the space for the ceremony.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026 -
The afternoon was brightening, the sun preparing to come through.—
Stephen King,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Verb
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If Paglen and Burtynsky are more like mechanics—lifting the hood and getting grease on their hands—Eliasson and Anadol are in the car-wash business.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
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The luxury plug-in hybrid SUV immediately went viral online thanks to videos showing the vehicle dancing, floating in water, spinning like a tank and lifting itself high enough to change tires.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Good times for the place have come and gone under various ownerships in the years since, and things are now looking up once more.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
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Just when everything is looking up, things start to get dicey again as Pete vanishes from the backseat of the car just moments before arriving back on Woodstone property.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 May 2026
Verb
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The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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Israel’s national security minister inflamed the situation with a provocative visit to the contested Al Aqsa Mosque compound, raising concerns about Jerusalem’s status in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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This latest trailer showcases Kyle Chandler as veteran Lantern, Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre portraying the younger newbie Lantern, John Stewart, and it’s loaded with full costumes, superpowered flight, glowing power rings, and cool bright green constructs.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
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Others, like Robinson, are glowing in their praise.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Its minimalist silhouette and hip-length hem pair effortlessly with shorts, skirts, or linen trousers, helping to stretch your travel wardrobe without taking up much suitcase space.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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The new Pittsburgh Public Schools board is once again taking up a controversial plan to close seven schools.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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When the Knicks fell behind 2-1 in the first round against Atlanta, Brown reshaped the offense again, this time elevating Towns into the primary facilitator role.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
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Club officials envisioned a trade for Ohtani as transformative, elevating their team to a legitimate World Series contender, electrifying their dormant market.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Perking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perking%20%28up%29. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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