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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preen
Ferrell's Ricky Bobby also serves as a pitch-perfect parody of the ego-driven, preening male protagonists of many a racing film.
—
James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
The tall, elegant birds preened their colorful feathers and posed for the cameras, enjoying the mildly sunny day.
—Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025
Most of those preening peacocks would auction off family members to get a national news hit.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
While many of the viral videos show the kids palling around and preening, the former squad members say they were often pushed too far.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preen
James Mercadante, EW.com, 20 May 2025
The tall, elegant birds preened their colorful feathers and posed for the cameras, enjoying the mildly sunny day.
—Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025
Most of those preening peacocks would auction off family members to get a national news hit.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
While many of the viral videos show the kids palling around and preening, the former squad members say they were often pushed too far.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preen
Verb
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Days after gloating over The Late Show’s cancellation, President Donald Trump claims to know which other late-night programs are next on the chopping block.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
22 July 2025
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The victors gloat, the losers seethe and neither side gives an inch.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Handlers at the 2024 National Dog Show Presented by Purina spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about getting different breeds ready for the big event and the amount of primping required.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
28 Nov. 2024
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Photographed by Clémence Polès The next couple of hours felt like a rom-com montage—a bunch of girls playing, primping, and posing for pictures.—
Jessie Heyman,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Messi, at 35, led his country to glory against France, winning soccer’s ultimate prize in a pulsating match that finished 3-3 after extra time and had to be settled by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC News,
19 Dec. 2022
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If Harris can bring together a family with Indian, African, and Jewish heritage, America can glory in its diversity.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
26 Aug. 2020
Verb
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The Padres walked off the field in expressionless silence as the Blue Jays exulted in the infield.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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All these novels exult in esoterica, daring the reader to open a web browser and follow up on Énard’s anecdotes and curious historical divagations.—
Nicholas Dames,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preen. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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