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
  • An all-black look never fails to look elegant and serves as a contrasting backdrop to your zebra-print bag.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Later, she’s entertained by a mouse running along the baseboard of one of London’s more elegant restaurants.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • That makes sense when a malicious app tricks you into installing it.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Federal prosecutors say Bailey and an associate tricked people out of $2 million from 2018 to 2022.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • Craig was highly rated, and the plan to try to be more physical with Sammis’ pro-style attack in a league increasingly dominated by teams built in the trenches like Texas Tech, BYU and Utah seemed smart.
    — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Having experienced the dial adjust the volume on its own while the case was in my pocket, a disable option seems smart.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • The performance of hydrocarbons must be considered as part of a wider system that is simultaneously scaling clean electricity input and improving efficiency across the value chain.
    — H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In comparison, 58% say state and local governments improve their lives, while 56% say the same of businesses and 77% of charitable and advocacy groups.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • DeMellier’s founder, Mireia Llusia-Lindh, tapped the residential architect Nicolas Schuybroek to create a space that felt like a stylish home with vintage furniture, photography and architecture books and original work by female artists.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Specializing in a stylish suite of KD55 showerhead filters, the brand has recently been picked up by leading UK retailer Boots.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • Skarsgård wore a long-sleeve black shirt embellished with gemstones.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The entire collection is embellished by Burberry’s iconic House Check pattern, reimagined in a laurel green palette created exclusively for this collection.
    — Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • There has, however, been at least one particularly fashionable crossover.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Suiting has taken a turn within the last few years as men, from athletes to actors, are stepping into their most fashionable eras, embracing color and texture.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Verb
  • Hanging out was one thing, but the group also wanted to doll up the Potter franchise’s Ron Weasley.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And Millie Bobby Brown echoed a similar sentiment on her story, sharing Hottle's memorable shot holding a handmade King Kong doll up to the giant ape.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 22 July 2026
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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spruce

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