Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
Verb
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The television crews started gathering outside the courthouse not long after sunrise—cameramen in cargo shorts and primped anchors drawn by the gravitational pull of tragedy.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026 -
In the restroom, women nervously adjusted their swimsuits and primped in the mirror.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
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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
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Kea are among the animals known to use tools, and in 2021 Bruce gained fame for employing a pebble to help preen himself.—
Elizabeth Anne Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
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Give birds a place to preen by setting up a bird bath in your flower bed.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Layers are possible even in the heat—a linen button-down will dress up your look while keeping you cool.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
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At the Transport for London office, nervous, aspiring cabbies dress up in their Sunday best to take a series of oral exams known as appearances.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Smarten (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarten%20%28up%29. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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