smarten (up)

Definition of smarten (up)next

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarten (up)
Verb
  • Troye Sivan arrives primped for the Prada dinner during Milan Fashion Week on June 21.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • The small reception desk seems tight on space, but most employees are out in the lobby welcoming guests, straightening pillows in the waterfront lounge, and primping the magnificent flower arrangements anyway.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Observe black cockatoos preen in the drooping she-oaks, or marvel at the Dali-esque outback, filled with its skeletal mallee trees.
    Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
  • Recall how Silicon Valley’s CEO celebrities stood right behind the President on Inauguration Day in January 2025, preening over the crowd before them.
    Olivier Sylvain, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • An elevated top—in this case, a utility-style shirt with plenty of structure—helps dress up the more casual bottoms.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 29 June 2026
  • At Lemaire, cotton poplin, softer tailoring and relaxed layering reinforced the idea that dressing up can feel breezy without sacrificing sophistication.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smarten (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarten%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster