spruce 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sprucenext
as in elegant
being strikingly neat and trim in style or appearance a slim, spruce man in a tailor-made business suit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spruce

2 of 2

verb

as in to trick

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of spruce
Verb
According to Bauhus’s research, climate change has rendered the Black Forest largely uninhabitable to spruce. — Kendra Atleework, Longreads, 12 Mar. 2026 Fortunately, the wise old Professor Tangrowth is there to help spruce it up. — ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026 Something always needs stabilizing, fixing or sprucing in a 174-year-old building. — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026 Gallagher spent the first week of December sprucing it up, artfully decorating Christmas trees and doing her best to spread holiday cheer to the house's 150 families. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spruce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spruce
  1. elegant
  2. trick
  3. smart
  4. improve
  5. stylish
  6. embellish
  7. fashionable
  8. doll up
Adjective
  • Barbie’s hair choices, too, are ever so composed and elegant.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • All drinks are presented with an elegant touch that makes the experience feel special every time.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • Lord Ormund’s Gambit Lord Ormund has many, many tricks up his green sleeves.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, there has been a slew of viral videos on TikTok and other social media platforms in which users allegedly show how to trick the monitoring systems for the exam.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • So, too, are the smart shops of Andrassy Avenue, a broad boulevard modeled on the Champs-Élysées, the Franz Litzst museum, and the glorious Hungarian State opera house.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The film introduces 8-year-old Bonnie’s new smart tablet, Lilypad.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • With the aim of producing an addition 200,000 degrees beyond the 1 million already projected for 2030, the university set goals to improve its graduation rates.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Given the tools on show in the macOS beta closely match those on iOS, coupled with Apple’s push to unify as many of its operating system features, there will be some cross-platform data to improve this part of Siri AI.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • Consumer electronics giant Xiaomi is rolling out stylish sedans and SUVs outfitted with dizzying in-cabin infotainment tech.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Every seat is upholstered in stylish beige and cream-colored textiles and offers seven inches of recline, 40 inches of pitch, and 19 inches of width.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • The Dolce & Gabbana design featured a structured corset bodice with visible boning, a voluminous skirt, and a sweeping floor-length cape—all embellished with pink floral embroidery.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • The story may have been embellished by early biographers, but records show that Brunelleschi eventually gained recognition as the exclusive inventor and director of the dome.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • Over the decades, the principessa cake in particular has cultivated a devout — and fashionable — following.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • All of these newly fashionable hybrid shows campaigned for the Emmys as comedies.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
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
Definition of doll up

Phrases Containing spruce

Browse Nearby Words

sprouts
spruce
spruced
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Cite this Entry

“Spruce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spruce. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spruce

Nglish: Translation of spruce for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spruce

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