1
as in dresses
to put on one's best or formal clothes
we always like to dress up when going to parties
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in disguises
to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal true identity
the war was a fiasco that the administration tried to dress up as a triumph
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spruces
to make more desirable
dressed up the house with new windows and a paint job before putting it on the market
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in clothes
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the girls were dressed up in skirts or dresses, but the boys were wearing jeans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dresses up
Creamy Parmesan sauce dresses up bowtie pasta, collard greens, asparagus, and peas for a simple and nutritious main course.
—
Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, it’s made from the brand’s luxurious signature Italian leather, which dresses up any look from the office to the airport.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
With a pointed collar and breezy V-neck, polo sweaters act as a warm layer that instantly dresses up your outfit without a thought.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
These men are supported by Nancy, a woman who dresses up in a nurse’s costume but seems to have no medical training.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The performer dresses up in a Bigfoot costume and plays along with electronic music on the saxophone.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, it’s made from the brand’s luxurious signature Italian leather, which dresses up any look from the office to the airport.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
With a pointed collar and breezy V-neck, polo sweaters act as a warm layer that instantly dresses up your outfit without a thought.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Denim Royale features luxe finishes and denim that dresses up without losing authenticity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Each year, the museum dresses up in its Halloween décor and presents games, crafts, spooky stories and prizes.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dresses up
Verb
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Men in jackets and pressed slacks drift through the hallways with equally elegant ladies on their arms; when dinner time arrives, everyone dresses for the occasion, as did the generations of guests before them.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Crafted into undone bends, the style disguises flyaways and limp ends.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Shortly after arriving at the home just after midnight, Nelson downloaded a phone app that disguises the phone number of incoming calls.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Everything is coated in a garlic butter salt that masks the mediocrity of the nuts.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
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The country’s prosperity masks a condition of perpetual labor simply to sustain family and keep pace with one of the world’s most expensive cities.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For the cooking areas, Rockwell’s team installed floor-to-ceiling subway tile, a giant island, and deep-green millwork from Plain English that conceals all of the essentials.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
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In fact, Nicky and Morgan’s middle-class respectability conceals an overwhelming existential paralysis.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The grapes will still get the sugar that sweetens them from the surrounding leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
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Get the recipe > Maple syrup sweetens the spice paste—fragrant with cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon—used to marinate a whole bird in this hearty supper from British Indian chef Romy Gill.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Creative desserts were added in late 2025, like a matcha-and-fig leaf gateaux served with green apple sorbet, and blood orange-and-yuza espuma, a fluffy citrus confection that hides a surprise of chocolate olive oil pieces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why Afternoon and Evening Exercise Is Best Afternoon and evening exercise (particularly moderate to high intensity) improves blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
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That hybrid design also reduces wear on joints and improves energy efficiency over long distances.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Segel makes Dan a bitterly perceptive geek, out of his depth but eager to prove himself, while Weaving invests Lisa with a snappishness that only camouflages her pain.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dresses up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dresses%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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