as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
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At the party, Greg pulls her aside, and Belinda braces herself — but Greg surprises her.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
30 Mar. 2025 -
In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, counties including Alger, Luce, Delta, and Schoolcraft are bracing for up to 8 inches of snow and ice accumulations of up to half an inch through Sunday evening, while Dickinson, Iron, and Menominee Counties could see up to 6 inches of snow.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The slightly curved wand coats each lash in nourishing ingredients—biotin helps to fortify lashes to protect against breakage, while antioxidant-rich ingredients like peptides, vitamin E, and panthenol help to condition and hydrate.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
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Though the Steelers have made a concerted effort to fortify the trenches, this move that’s felt inevitable for some time.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The British singer-songwriter, 26, is already having a banner year, having been nominated for two BRIT Awards, readying the release of her new EP next month and opening for Sabrina Carpenter on the European leg of her Short n’ Sweet tour.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
25 Mar. 2025
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StubHub had been rumored to be readying an IPO for months.—
Ethan Millman,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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