1
as in brightened
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifted
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
the dog tilts her head and perks up her ears whenever someone speaks to her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perked (up)
Verb
-
The filmmakers have lightened and brightened their source material to a kid-friendly degree — even the English countryside, as glisteningly shot by George Steel, has never looked less overcast.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026 -
The rich buttermilk ranch dressing is brightened by fresh lemon juice and zest, which balances the tang of buttermilk and sour cream with the savory herb notes of chives and basil.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the five-minute work, Pau employs snippets lifted from government newsreels, most notably footage of a swimming contest held at Victoria Harbor in the 1960s showing throngs of Hong Kong citizens launching themselves into the ocean and paddling enthusiastically.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
At one point, the 4-year-old lifted the blanket, exposing his bare stomach, and Berrios-Otero’s hand could allegedly be seen appearing to be below the child’s stomach area, an investigator wrote in the warrant affidavits.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Obama raised millions of dollars, produced a raft of advertisements, and took the unusual step of endorsing dozens of candidates for state legislative office.—
Peter Slevin,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Last June, Russian banks raised red flags on a potential debt crisis as high interest rates weighed on borrowers’ ability to pay off loans.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
My mother looked bewildered and even Father looked up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Cassidy looked up the studies Kennedy raised and read through them during the hearing.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a transaction is elevated from review by a state economic agency to consideration by a party national security body, the calculus changes.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The casual style is elevated with details like a chest pocket, crew neckline, cuffed cap sleeves, and a slight A-line silhouette that provides a flattering shape.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Perked (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perked%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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