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
  • The five-night yacht voyages combine access to historic sites along the river and elegant, luxurious accommodations.
    — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Featuring romantic bell sleeves, an elegant boat neckline, and an adjustable back cinch detail, this figure-forming top looks flattering on just about everyone.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Verb
  • Mistruths, false claims, scams, and other deceptive efforts are tricking people into thinking that a watermark removal app will do wonders, whereas the reality is that the results are at best half-mixed or aimed to cause damage.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • ClickFix works by tricking you into performing an action on your computer that stealthily downloads and installs malware.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • Buffalo’s pipeline remains robust, with a good mix of smart, mobile defensemen and dynamic forwards.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The leader's role, then, is less about being the smartest person in the room than about making the room smarter.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of smart
Verb
  • At 28 years old, the sizeable outlay on the Brazilian midfielder continues Arsenal’s ploy of spending big money on players who can immediately improve their first team.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Some activists remain positive that more staffers at shelters will improve conditions, but others argue the money should go straight to the animals through food, enrichment and supplies instead of wages.
    — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • Wear it à la Copenhagen’s stylish set with a suede jacket and heeled thong sandal.
    — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Their distressed midcalf moto boots were at the top of every stylish girl's wish list.
    — Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stylish
Verb
  • The area is charming, with the houses themselves a mishmash of shapes of colors—miniature, red roof dwellings decorated with wooden panels are piled next to slim, towering town houses embellished with sweeping bay windows.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Mills has been previously accused of embellishing his military record.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of embellish
Adjective
  • Editor’s Pick The dining chair from Herman Miller’s Comma collection left a positive impression on commerce director Lori Keong this past Seat Week, for its fashionable, yet comfortable construction.
    — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The fashionable Spaniard emails me after completing her own detox, asking about my reentry into the real world.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Verb
  • 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
  • Looking to doll up your collarbones instead?
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
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 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spruce

Nglish: Translation of spruce for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spruce

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