Phrase guide

pep up

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To refresh, enliven, or restore.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • I need some coffee to pep me up.
  • Watering my houseplants really pepped them up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make stronger or more interesting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • We're looking for ideas to pep up the new ad campaign.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

make more interesting or lively

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • juice up a party
  • pep up your paper

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: jazz up, juice up, ginger up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: enliven, liven, liven up, invigorate, animate

4

verb

Meaning 4

spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The crowd cheered the demonstrating strikers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cheer, root on, inspire, urge, barrack, urge on, exhort

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: encourage

Narrower terms: cheerlead

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.