as in to quiet (down)
to stop talking
the schoolboy ordered his mates to belt up about the prank
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 belt up
Going back home Sunday looks nice, except for the Lake Effect Snow belt up in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
—
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (57-1-2, 39 KOs) steps back into the ring to try and conquer yet another weight class, this time putting on several pounds for a matchup against current WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia (19-0, 11 KOs) who is putting his belt up for grabs in this bout.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2022
So getting some of those at-bats under his belt up here will be part of that.
—Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022
Designed to attach to a belt up to 2½ inches wide or to a PALS system, the pouch comes very close to duplicating the performance of an OWB holster.
—Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2020
Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (57-1-2, 39 KOs) steps back into the ring to try and conquer yet another weight class, this time putting on several pounds for a matchup against current WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia (19-0, 11 KOs) who is putting his belt up for grabs in this bout.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2022
So getting some of those at-bats under his belt up here will be part of that.
—Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022
Designed to attach to a belt up to 2½ inches wide or to a PALS system, the pouch comes very close to duplicating the performance of an OWB holster.
—Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belt up
Verb
-
There will be some lingering snow showers in the mountains Saturday, while things should start to dry up in lower elevations.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
13 Mar. 2025
-
There's one week to go until federal funding dries up and the U.S. government shuts down if Congress can't pass legislation by March 14.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The acting challenge is nominally directed by Cheyenne Jackson, but functionally, scene-partner Ross never shuts up about what the queens should do, so it’s equally directed by him.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
After 1950, the country couldn’t shut up about him.—
Beverly Gage,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Although regulations may usher in more urgency for sustainable action, the laws rolling out around transparent claims could lead to companies clamming up about their initiatives to avoid potential greenwashing penalties.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2019
-
While Lydia wallows in the residual pain, Paul has clammed up.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news When athletes line up at the start of a race, the crowd often hushes in anticipation until the quiet is broken by the crack of a starter pistol.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Standing on the boardwalk near the spring boil, visitors of all ages made remarks of awe and wonder while keeping their voices hushed in a show of reverence for nature’s wonder.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belt up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belt%20up. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share