1
as in supports
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
wore a brace for the injured knee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pairs
two things of the same or similar kind that match or are considered together
bagged a brace of pheasants
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in stimulates
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
the pep talk braced the team up for the second half
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in carries
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
several boards braced the wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in fortifies
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
she braced herself for the job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of braces
ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
As a child, Smith used crutches and leg braces.
—John Beifuss, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Many of the braces were shipped to beneficiaries who neither requested nor needed them, the DOJ said.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Another complaint said a woman in a wheelchair received braces from the company but did not order them and can’t use them due to her mobility issues.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Both are out of bulky knee braces, though they aren’t expected to be on the field until fall camp.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
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
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
Noun
Sleeves, braces and more available.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
As a child, Smith used crutches and leg braces.
—John Beifuss, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Many of the braces were shipped to beneficiaries who neither requested nor needed them, the DOJ said.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Another complaint said a woman in a wheelchair received braces from the company but did not order them and can’t use them due to her mobility issues.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Both are out of bulky knee braces, though they aren’t expected to be on the field until fall camp.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
Think of vertical supports, like stakes or tomato cages, as must-have space-saving tools.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 2026
-
As the peonies continue to grow, and then eventually bloom, the stems should grow up and through the various supports of the cage.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Layne Schillo had a pair of hits for Evergreen Park (15-4, 8-1).—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
After some spring training struggles, a season-opening assignment to Triple-A and a pair of forgettable starts, the pitcher is happy to have a scoreless start under his belt.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, certain types of mushrooms are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light during or after harvesting, which stimulates vitamin D production in the mushrooms.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Beta-glucan also stimulates the release of GLP-1 from the gut, sending hormonal signals of fullness to the brain.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each piece carries a subtle, intentional message -- a daily reminder of your beauty and worth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Each count carries a maximum of three years in prison.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Excited, yet anxious, over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Braves, already holding an early advantage atop their division, have in-season reinforcements on the way.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Panthers brought in reinforcements from free agency, but building for the future might be on Carolina’s mind.—
Alex Zietlow
April 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is where couples come to mark a special occasion or business travelers come to impress.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Editor Jeremy Rellosa spoke to couples about the easiest times to get an appointment, the best places for taking pictures, and where to make a Champagne toast afterward.—
Jeremy Rellosa,
Curbed,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump… Now, there’s a growing chance that the US central bank may not just delay a rate cut but may hike rates instead, particularly if the price spikes stemming from the US-Israeli war with Iran prove to be long lasting.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The model is similar to surge pricing used in industries like airlines and ride-sharing, where costs increase when demand spikes.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Braces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braces. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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