Antonyms for perking

Grammar : Verb

Spell : purk

Phonetic Transcription : pɜrk

Definition of perking

Origin : late 14c., "to make oneself trim or smart," perhaps from Old North French perquer "to perch" (Modern French percher; see perch (n.1)), on notion of a bird preening its plumage. Sense of "raise oneself briskly" is first attested 1520s; perk up "recover liveliness" is from 1650s. Related: Perked; perking.

As in percolate : verb seep, drip (liquid)
As in perform : verb carry out, accomplish
As in produce : verb put on a public performance
As in stimulate : verb excite, provoke
As in act : verb do something

Example sentences :

He was perking up his big ears and wagging his stump of a tail in front of him.
Extract from : « The Manxman » by Hall Caine

And yet these perking courtiers are a long time seeing that.
Extract from : « The Hero of the People » by Alexandre Dumas

Then she strolled over toward the Man, lifting her feet in her most aristocratic way and perking her head prettily.
Extract from : « Tales of a Poultry Farm » by Clara Dillingham Pierson

He set coffee to perking, laid strips of bacon in a skillet and arranged half a dozen eggs nearby.
Extract from : « Double Challenge » by James Arthur Kjelgaard

"Well, I for one don't like her a bit," declared Tilly, perking up the bow ends of the black sling that hung about her neck.
Extract from : « The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch » by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter

She'll be sure to be peeking an' perking inter every thing the moment my back's turned.
Extract from : « The World Before Them » by Susanna Moodie

It's simply ridiculous to have Margaret perking herself up for beaux.
Extract from : « A Little Girl in Old New York » by Amanda Millie Douglas

So he had, like a very unwise rabbit, and was perking up his long ears within quite easy range of Charley's gun as he levelled it.
Extract from : « Harper's Young People, April 6, 1880 » by Various

The seat next them was unoccupied, and Mallory dropped into it, perking his ears backward for news.
Extract from : « Excuse Me! » by Rupert Hughes

"You hear it from the police, gentlemen," added Mr. Meredith, perking up a little.
Extract from : « The Gentleman From Indiana » by Booth Tarkington

Synonyms for perking

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019