Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
Verb
-
The tiniest requests were dispensed with the utmost care; rooms were primped and fluffed three times a day; special requests for excursions efficiently booked; and dietary preferences noted and recalled with precision.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026 -
Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine below.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
3 Feb. 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
-
The males strut, coo, puff their chests and enthusiastically preen to court females.—
Lisa Gutierrez
March 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are many ways humans can support backyard birds, such as offering them baths for preening, providing essential food and nutrients, and growing native plants for habitat and foraging.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Underwood surprisingly played along with the joke in November, dressing up in an orange jumpsuit and jaunty cap on the team’s trip to New York to play Connecticut at Madison Square Garden.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The happy quartet looked festive while all dressed up for dinner during the holidays in 2024.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Smarten (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarten%20%28up%29. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
