Synonyms of brace

brace 1 of 2

noun

1

as in support

a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else

wore a brace for the injured knee

Synonyms & Similar Words

• support
• reinforcement
• shore
• prop
• mount
• mounting
• pillar
• spur
• stay
• truss
• bracket
• crutch
• foundation
• column
• arch
• buttress
• underpinning
• shoring
• cantilever
• stand
• peg
• frame
• pedestal
• girder
• strut
• pilaster
• bolster
• bearing
• stake
• post
• stanchion
• base
• stilt

2

as in pair

two things of the same or similar kind that match or are considered together

bagged a brace of pheasants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pair
• couple
• twain
• duo
• partnership
• twosome
• companion
• dyad
• couplet
• team
• yoke
• span
• half
• twin
• complement
• doublet
• coordinate
• equivalent
• parallel
• peer
• match
• fellow
• counterpart
• mate
• rival
• like
• equal

brace

2 of 2

verb

ˈbrās 

1

as in to stimulate

to give life, vigor, or spirit to

the pep talk braced the team up for the second half

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stimulate
• stir
• lift
• animate
• provoke
• cheer
• spike
• trigger
• arouse
• drive
• activate
• energize
• electrify
• fire
• enliven
• awaken
• strengthen
• inspire
• invigorate
• raise
• vitalize
• vivify
• excite
• zip (up)
• revive
• quicken
• propel
• fillip
• jazz (up)
• motivate
• recreate
• awake
• rouse
• spark
• rally
• motive
• jump-start
• boost
• liven (up)
• amp (up)
• move
• juice up
• charge
• pep (up)
• steel
• actuate
• set off
• wake (up)
• buoy
• galvanize
• ginger (up)
• refresh
• renew
• impel
• resurrect
• instigate
• fortify
• incite
• foment
• hearten
• abet
• turn on
• whip (up)
• infuse
• embolden
• kindle
• ferment
• inflame
• regenerate
• reinvigorate
• resuscitate
• reactivate
• recharge
• revitalize
• rekindle
• rejuvenate
• reanimate
• enkindle
• reawaken
• reenergize
• restimulate
• reawake
• refreshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wear
• kill
• dull
• dampen
• damp
• deaden
• weary
• undermine
• exhaust
• wear out
• weaken
• check
• drain
• restrain
• wash out
• burn out
• fatigue
• curb
• debilitate
• harass
• knock out
• slow
• inhibit
• suppress
• enfeeble
• sap
• do in
• stunt
• quell
• repress
• quench
• still
• discourage
• enervate
• fag
• tucker (out)
• demoralize
• daunt
• jade
• dishearten
• kayo
• dispirit

2

as in to support

to hold up or serve as a foundation for

several boards braced the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• support
• carry
• sustain
• bolster
• stay
• uphold
• buttress
• bear
• truss
• underpin
• shore (up)
• undergird
• prop (up)
• steady
• underlie

3

as in to fortify

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

she braced herself for the job interview

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• ready
• strengthen
• steel
• nerve
• reinforce
• bolster
• arm
• forearm
• poise
• enforce
• comfort
• support
• rally
• psych (up)
• buttress
• encourage
• season
• inure
• sustain
• rouse
• harden
• boost
• stir
• toughen
• inspire
• hearten
• prop (up)
• buoy (up)
• embolden
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• demoralize
• daunt
• unnerve
• dishearten
• undermine
• soften
• undercut
• weaken
• tire
• prostrate
• psych (out)
• debilitate
• dispirit
• sap
• enfeeble
• enervate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of brace

Noun

Thursday night’s 3-0 victory over Austria was their best display yet, as unsung hero Mikel Oyarzabal brought his tally to the tournament to four with a brace. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 July 2026

England also came from behind to defeat the Democratic Republic of the Congo, captain Harry Kane scoring a brace in a 2-1 win. — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026

Verb

Now, colleges and universities are bracing for the most consequential rewrite of federal higher-education policy in a generation. — Jeffrey Selingo, Time, 2 July 2026

An extreme heat warning issued by the National Weather Service for the Pittsburgh area will enter a second day as the region braces for temperatures in the 90s and an impending heat wave. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 1 July 2026