smartening (up)

verb

present participle of smarten (up)
as in prinking

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smartening (up)
  1. primping
  2. dressing up
Verb
  • Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine, below.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 July 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
Definition of primping
Verb
  • Fine jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey and Savas founder Savannah Yarborough are making a compelling case for dressing up Western wear.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • After dressing up as an anthropomorphic worm, an incredibly realistic ET, and a chimpanzee complete with prosthetic facial features and ears, the supermodel is ready to amaze us once again.
    — Alfredo Toriello, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dressing up
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.

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smartening
smartening (up)
smartens
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Cite this Entry

“Smartening (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smartening%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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