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 pair
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
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
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Or, Wu suggested, instead of opting for clear plastic aligners, a person could get metal braces or retainers.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Sorci, who also has CMT, will have sample braces that people can look at and try on.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
This time, those items, in addition to knee braces and cleats, will travel with the players.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
At the end of the episode, Mayhew and Parker clash at Cronin’s party over Mayhew’s loyalty to a dentist friend who Parker claims gave her son seven fillings instead of fixing his braces.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
But with hard work and lots of encouragement from his parents, Christian took his first steps in June with the help of a walker and leg braces.
—Hope Hodge Seck, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Lifestyle strategies, such as adopting the Mediterranean diet, taking fish oil, wearing joint braces, and maintaining good posture, can also help preserve joint health.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2025
As global demand for discreet, flexible alternatives to traditional braces skyrockets, patients are driving a new standard for how orthodontic care should feel, function, and fit into daily life.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
As Major League Baseball reportedly braces for its own salary cap, these risks only grow.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Vietnam braces for powerful storm The Vietnamese government expects Kajiki, the fifth tropical storm to hit the country this year, to be as powerful as Typhoon Yagi, which brushed Vietnam’s north last year—killing 300 people in the country and leaving more than $3 billion in damages in its wake.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
North Carolina braces for towering waves from Hurricane Erin.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Walsh’s selection comes as Kansas braces for a polarizing fight over whether to return to a system of directly electing high court justices after more than 60 years of relying on a nominating commission that screens candidates and picks three finalists for the governor to choose from.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The latest threat comes as the industry braces for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Commerce Department into the national security implications of America's medicinal imports.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
As the industry braces for surprises and snubs, some big players are poised to lead the charge, while others hope for last-minute breakthroughs.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
This includes search dogs and teams trained to rescue people from collapsed buildings as the island braces for severe damage.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Without his braces, Butt-Head sees the world and himself in a whole new light.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Or, Wu suggested, instead of opting for clear plastic aligners, a person could get metal braces or retainers.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Sorci, who also has CMT, will have sample braces that people can look at and try on.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
This time, those items, in addition to knee braces and cleats, will travel with the players.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
At the end of the episode, Mayhew and Parker clash at Cronin’s party over Mayhew’s loyalty to a dentist friend who Parker claims gave her son seven fillings instead of fixing his braces.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
But with hard work and lots of encouragement from his parents, Christian took his first steps in June with the help of a walker and leg braces.
—Hope Hodge Seck, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Lifestyle strategies, such as adopting the Mediterranean diet, taking fish oil, wearing joint braces, and maintaining good posture, can also help preserve joint health.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2025
As global demand for discreet, flexible alternatives to traditional braces skyrockets, patients are driving a new standard for how orthodontic care should feel, function, and fit into daily life.
—William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
As Chicago braces for a similar crackdown, the Los Angeles effort topped 5,000 arrests last week.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
As Major League Baseball reportedly braces for its own salary cap, these risks only grow.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Vietnam braces for powerful storm The Vietnamese government expects Kajiki, the fifth tropical storm to hit the country this year, to be as powerful as Typhoon Yagi, which brushed Vietnam’s north last year—killing 300 people in the country and leaving more than $3 billion in damages in its wake.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
North Carolina braces for towering waves from Hurricane Erin.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Walsh’s selection comes as Kansas braces for a polarizing fight over whether to return to a system of directly electing high court justices after more than 60 years of relying on a nominating commission that screens candidates and picks three finalists for the governor to choose from.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The latest threat comes as the industry braces for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Commerce Department into the national security implications of America's medicinal imports.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
As the industry braces for surprises and snubs, some big players are poised to lead the charge, while others hope for last-minute breakthroughs.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
This includes search dogs and teams trained to rescue people from collapsed buildings as the island braces for severe damage.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braces
Noun
-
These are supports, as Crazy Bull explains, are as vital as what happens in classrooms and labs.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Geriatric care managers are generally people with medical and social services training (usually nurses and social workers) who have particular expertise in creating care plans that cover medical interventions and the creation of everyday life routines and supports for people with particular needs.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Wu pulled in more than 60% of the vote, while Kraft had around 29% support when the race was called for the pair.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The pair orbit a significant distance from the icy world, farther out in relation to the dwarf planet's size than expected.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities identified Tyler Robinson as Charlie Kirk‘s alleged assassin and charged him with murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Repole’s cautionary advice carries significant weight given his impressive business track record.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Avoiding the below mistakes not only fortifies digital-first customer service strategies but will also reshape the controversial narrative around chatbots.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The future Hall of Famer only fortifies the talented roster, and gives Houston an experienced star who has the championship hardware to prove it.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The closer-than-expected race in the NL West was actually boosted by reinforcements this week.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
There’s a realistic scenario in which the Nuggets still need defensive reinforcements after the first stretch of the season, especially to guard on the perimeter and take some of the load off Braun and Gordon.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier, the agency released a pair of images of a person of interest in the case that showed a man in a stairwell wearing a black long sleeve shirt with an American flag, jeans, sunglasses and a dark hat.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Our expert reviews of JBL headphones consistently praises the brand for balancing strong sound with everyday value, and this pair fits right into that category.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The latest jobs market data confirmed mounting fears of a labor market heading in the wrong direction and the need for the central bank to move sooner rather than later before unemployment spikes.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
-
When demand spikes, the air is warmed again.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Braces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braces. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share