BRACES Synonyms: 220 Similar and Opposite Words

braces 1 of 2

noun

Definition of braces next

plural of brace

as in supports

a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else wore a brace for the injured knee

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Relevance

as in pairs

two things of the same or similar kind that match or are considered together bagged a brace of pheasants

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braces

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of brace

as in stimulates

to give life, vigor, or spirit to the pep talk braced the team up for the second half

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as in carries

to hold up or serve as a foundation for several boards braced the wall

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as in fortifies

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally she braced herself for the job interview

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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 braces

Noun

One look at Pacas’ fresh face, complete with a smile still full of braces, and those years may not seem so far away for this 19-year-old. —

Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 Five interchangeable tips, including two standard jet heads, an orthodontic tip ideal for braces, a periodontal jet tip that's gentle on gums, and a tongue cleaner. —

Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026 Mullin battled a host of medical conditions as a child, including a clubfoot, which required him to wear leg braces and undergo several operations. —

Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026 Federal prosecutors allege the company billed Medicare and other programs for medical braces that patients did not need between 2019 and 2024. —

Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026 Shaw and Bosco built another company together called SB Tactical, which produces controversial arm braces for guns. —

Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026 The Everyday Appeal of Tennis Bracelets Tennis braces were once reserved for formal events. —

Malana Vantayler, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026 The rebar inside looked like rusted braces without teeth. —

Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026 The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion. —

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026

Verb

While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better? —

Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026 Vietnam’s airlines are suspending some domestic routes as the country braces for jet fuel shortages. —

Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026 Whenever the weather changes suddenly, or the skyline becomes shrouded in a windy haze, Fernanda Camarillo braces herself for an asthma attack. —

Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 But the $110 billion sale of WBD to Paramount that Zaslav has orchestrated hung over the festivities, as the industry braces for the thousands of layoffs that will result from the consolidation. —

Brent Lang, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026 As South Florida braces for yet another spring break tourist deluge, here are 85 restaurants, bars and food trucks spanning Broward to Palm Beach counties waiting to serve them all with spotless kitchens. —

Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026 The office is intended to make more of those second chances possible as North Texas braces for decades of job growth. —

Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026 Zoo braces for impact Relatively speaking, the Ichikawa City Zoo is a small institution, home to about 44 different types of mammals, birds and reptiles, according to the zoo's website. —

Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026 Merck is shaking up the leadership of its main pharmaceutical unit as the drugmaker braces for sales pressure later this decade, The Wall Street Journal reports. —

Ed Silverman, STAT, 23 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for braces

Noun

Olathe Schools shifted $44 million from its general fund to cover special education costs last year — a strain the superintendent says now forces staff reductions, leading to larger class sizes and fewer supports for every student, not just those with special needs.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Students enrolled in public schools can also benefit from scholarships that help pay for tutoring, specialized services, learning technology, transportation or other educational supports.

— Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2026