1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

bracing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrā-siŋ How to pronounce bracing (audio)
Definition of bracingnext
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind a chilly but bracing day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bracing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brace
1
as in stimulating
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 sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for several boards braced the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in fortifying
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 bracing
Adjective
This was laid out in a bracing April 8 essay in The Washington Post by Amanda Sloat, an academic who has worked on the National Security Council and in the State Department. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 Wilder is better known for comedies like Some Like It Hot, but The Lost Weekend is a bracing look at alcoholism that also won best picture and best actor for Ray Milland. — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Transit agencies are bracing for 10 million to 15 million spectators and a million extra Metro transit trips. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 That kind of bracing communal experience is exactly why people attend the Fringe, an event that launched, in 1947, as a thumb in the eye of a mainstream arts festival in the city. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bracing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bracing
  1. refreshing
  2. stimulating
  3. sustaining
  4. fortifying
  5. restorative
  6. stirring
  7. carrying
  8. strengthening
Adjective
  • Since watermelon is a summer staple, consider making a refreshing watermelon rind gazpacho for your next backyard gathering.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That led to a refreshing summer of debating offseason moves without fans questioning the franchise’s overall direction.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Verb
  • The Fed’s main tool — its key interest rate — functions on the demand side, either by cooling or stimulating the US economy, depending on whether officials want to address high inflation or high unemployment.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Wearing a pair of compression socks will not only ward off any temptation to clip or file your nails mid-flight, but the socks will also relieve tension by stimulating circulation in your legs and feet to reduce swelling in the air.
    — Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Last year at the Venice Film Festival, Italy’s Fondazione Prada officially launched its film fund, aimed at sustaining independent cinema from around the world without any restrictions on theme, genre or language.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, left tackle Rashawn Slater, who missed all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp, was sidelined for much of August because of a flare-up to that same knee.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • Organizations that invest in trust, well-being, continuous learning and upskilling will be best positioned to attract and retain talent while fortifying business performance.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • On Monday, Kiffin said LSU would consider fortifying his team’s defensive tackle depth with another player.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortifying
Adjective
  • Massages can be arranged on your private terrace, and the breeze really adds a flair to what is already a restorative experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The potential for conflict bursts into the open at a seaside home that has been in Ye-ji’s husband’s family for years, where the group has decamped for a supposedly restorative holiday.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of restorative
Verb
  • In a team meeting on the eve of their stirring 28-20 victory over the Cowboys, the Giants gave Jack Harbaugh their full attention and respect.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Increase heat to high and cook, stirring often, until meat is cooked through and no longer pink and zucchini is tender, 6–8 minutes.
    — Caroline Chambers, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • Authorities didn't comment on the drone's origin or purpose, saying further investigation was needed, but two senior officials said the device was likely carrying explosives.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Since the raid, many have returned to work at US battery plants doing similar jobs, often on the same visas, while carrying the fear of being swept up again by immigration agents, the workers told CNN.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of carrying
Verb
  • According to a recent report from NuOrder by Lightspeed, 78 percent of senior wholesale leaders rank B2B wholesale as their top investment channel, while 53 percent said that strengthening existing retail partnerships is a priority.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The natural climate cycle has been strengthening at a breakneck pace since it was first declared in June and is stronger now than it’s ever been on this date.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of strengthening

Browse Nearby Words

braces
bracing
bracket
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bracing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bracing. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aggrandize

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All