GUSSY UP Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

gussy up

verb

ˈgə-sē-ˈəp

Definition of gussy up

as in to decorate

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming gone are the days when the high school prom was held in the gym, which had been gussied up for the occasion

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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 gussy up And as long as building owners gussy up their lobbies or add some amenities that make sense for the space, like a rooftop terrace, there’s usually a tenant for them. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 18 Sep. 2026 Kristin Keyes, interior designer in Nashville, Tennessee, is also a fan of drapery panels, particularly to highlight interior French doors and gussy up front doors. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 13 May 2026 This is increasingly becoming a thing theaters are experimenting with, tapping into the latest TikTok trends to gussy up your pop. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026 But why is Nvidia voluntarily forfeiting an accounting maneuver that helps companies gussy up their results? — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2026 Alongside letting fans treat Majima like a Ken doll by fashioning his outfits, hairstyles, makeup, and jewelry, the game allows players to customize and gussy up his sea vessel. — Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025 This luxe velvet Jennifer Behr Velvet Bow Barrette is classic enough to pair with jeans and a white tee, but can easily gussy up a nap dress with a clip of its barrette (no behind-the-head, blind-tying necessary). — Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 27 Sep. 2024 Our readers offered their hacks to gussy up a frozen pizza and tips to make it from scratch. — Tejal Rao, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024 Took several payments of $350,000—to gussy up China’s image in the West. — Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 14 July 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gussy up

Verb

After the last one is opened, use the set to bake cookies for Santa and decorate them on Christmas Eve, then take the extras along to your holiday gathering.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
Rooms There are 93 rooms and suites—including two penthouses—decorated with plenty of personality.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorate

Verb

Pieces of fish are hand sliced to the ideal thickness and length, and beautifully adorned with garnishes that dazzle the eye and strategically heighten every bite.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Designed by Mouawad, the extravagant set included a bra, thong, garter, bracelet, and hair clip adorned with nearly 9,000 diamonds and colorful gemstones, taking over 880 hours to create.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorn

Browse Nearby Words

gussying up

gussy up

gust

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“Gussy up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gussy%20up. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gussy up

verb

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