perk up

VERB

cheer

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brighten mend take heart

WEAK

ameliorate be refreshed buck up cheer up convalesce gain improve invigorate liven up look up pep up rally recover recuperate refresh renew revive shake

Antonyms

WEAK

depress

VERB

rise briskly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

rise stand erect

STRONG

cock

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has naturally small ears, he said, so seeing them perk up in the mirror felt strange at first.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Roasted sweet potatoes perk up instantly with toasted pistachios.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

"But I need to be able to handle all the feelings and then perk up and perform."

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Will they perk up for the holiday shopping season?

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

Once we started eating, people would perk up and be jolly.

From "Homesick" by Jean Fritz