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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for several boards braced the wall

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3
as in fortifying
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally she braced herself for the job interview

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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
And for months, Hollywood has been bracing itself for the inevitable thousands of layoffs that will come out of the Skydance merger. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 Americans who rely on heating oil to warm up their homes are bracing for higher costs this fall and winter. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 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
  • The Imbox deodorizer works to prevent and eliminate odor — and leaves a refreshing fragrance to allow consumers to preserve the feeling of a fresh shoe for longer.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That pragmatism was refreshing and impeccably executed at Dries Van Noten, Celine, Simone Rocha, and Loewe.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Verb
  • Peptide enthusiasts also tout laboratory studies, such as a particular peptide stimulating blood vessel growth.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In part that’s because voters see federal investment as creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth.
    — Kayla Morton, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • The Hurricanes took the lead back after Xavier Lucas, who was playing in his first game since sustaining an injury in the season opener, recovered a Riles fumble (forced by Ethan O’Connor).
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Two of the estimated 400 firefighters assigned to the Norte Fire were stabilized at a hospital after sustaining unspecified injuries battling the blaze, McGovern said.
    — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • City officials have been frantically preparing for Rachel, building sand berms and fortifying vulnerable areas with sandbags.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • CISOs invested billions of dollars fortifying corporate inboxes with secure email gateways (SEGs), enforcing strict DMARC policies and conducting continuous phishing simulations for employees.
    — Firas Azmeh, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fortifying
Adjective
  • Burning is restorative not only for the ecosystem, Briggs-Cloud wrote, but for the community’s spiritual life.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Far away from the ceaseless whirring of small aircraft transporting tourists on aerial tours of the falls, this stillness, punctuated only by birdsong, feels beautifully restorative.
    — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of restorative
Verb
  • Instead of stirring resentment or scorn, the films inspired people.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Colleagues might be chopping, stirring and whipping up a meal on the other side of your video call.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Mitchell Fairbarn was captured on surveillance video carrying the 27-year-old Chilean flamingo, Peachy, to his room after removing the bird from its enclosure at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in March.
    — Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of carrying
Verb
  • The Bills are also coming off a Monday night overtime game, strengthening the home underdog’s case.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Florida is living proof that protecting the preborn and strengthening families is both possible and popular.
    — Kimberly Bird, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthening

Browse Nearby Words

braces
bracing
bracket
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Cite this Entry

“Bracing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bracing. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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