brace

1 a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else wore a brace for the injured knee Synonyms support, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, reinforcement, shore, spur, stay, underpinningRelated Words shoring; column, pedestal, pilaster, pillar; arch, bolster, bracket, cantilever, girder; bearing; crutch, peg, post, stake, stanchion, stand, stilt, strut, truss; base, foundation, frame

2 two things of the same or similar kind that match or are considered together bagged a brace of pheasants Synonyms pair, couple, couplet, duo, dyad, twain, twosomeRelated Words span, yoke; partnership, team; companion, complement, doublet, fellow, half, match, mate, twin; coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival

1 to give life, vigor, or spirit to the pep talk braced the team up for the second half Synonyms amp (up), animate, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)Related Words arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up); activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel; charge, electrify, galvanize; enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, reviveNear Antonyms burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary; check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispiritAntonyms damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

2 to hold up or serve as a foundation for several boards braced the wall Synonyms bear, bolster, support, buttress, carry, prop (up), shore (up), stay, sustain, undergird, underpin, upholdRelated Words steady, truss, underlie

3 to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally she braced herself for the job interview Synonyms fortify, forearm, nerve, poise, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthenRelated Words arm; harden, inure, season, toughen; bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress, enforce, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support, sustain; cheer (up), comfort, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire; rally, rouse, stirNear Antonyms daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, psych (out), shake, unnerve; debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken