1
as in brightening
to become glad or hopeful
we perked up once the sun came out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifting
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 perking (up)
Verb
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Instead, Button says under cabinet task lighting can often instantly improve a space, and pot lights are great for brightening up dull areas—especially any prep stations.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026 -
Aside from brightening a space, increasing natural light can improve your mood, energy, and sleep patterns.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Removing these bargain fares is also lifting the average ticket price.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Robbie Ray combined with four relievers on a six-hitter, lifting the Giants to their first home win against the Marlins since August of 2024.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This suggestion is a personal choice because, for some, looking up information on the internet might be the easier decision.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
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Some travel areas are looking up already, with hotel room revenue up 4% year over year in the county in the first quarter of 2026.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Walker was also experiencing a mental health issue and was shot after raising a knife.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Several early tests failed, raising questions about the program’s future.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Depending on the evening, dinner is served outside under the open sky or inside a softly glowing hoop house.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
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What's left behind is a glowing core, known as a white dwarf, which is sending out radiation that causes the gas shells to glow.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Silk skirts are a staple of my travel wardrobe, taking up minimal suitcase space while stretching my outfit options.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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In a mostly party-line April 28 vote, 50 Republicans and one Democrat blocked the Senate from taking up the measure.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Klinger warns that adding excess fat, calories, and sugar can rapidly transform coffee into a high-calorie beverage, elevating the risk of weight gain.—
Embry Roberts,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
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In addition to refocusing its strategy, Comcast has changed up its leadership structure, including elevating Mike Cavanagh to co-CEO alongside Roberts.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Perking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perking%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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