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
More showers and possible flooding are expected Tuesday afternoon, though not as widespread, and residents are bracing for them. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 Some teachers are already bracing for the possibility of steep pay cuts if the local referendum fails this week. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 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
  • Make a refreshing mocktail with a sprig of rosemary plus equal parts unsweetened cranberry juice and club soda or sparkling water.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There’s something really cool and really refreshing about that.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Verb
  • Coffee is known to have bowel-stimulating effects that may help those who need a little help getting their bowels moving after breakfast.
    — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 10 Nov. 2026
  • This potentially removes the need to add a separate immune-stimulating ingredient to the vaccine.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Universities need institutions capable of sustaining serious debate after a visiting speaker leaves campus.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • With their best player out for the game, the Miami offense had a hard time getting big plays or sustaining drives, particularly in the first half.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • He's held two summits each with Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China since 2019, and trade with both nations appears to be fueling something of an economic boom fortifying North Korea's growing geopolitical position.
    — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Tensions between North and South Korea have risen since Pyongyang began fortifying its border in April 2024.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fortifying
Adjective
  • The spa Few things feel more restorative after a day of travel than a really good massage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Historically, Ashland was also sometimes referred to as the Baden-Baden (a historic German spa town) of America thanks to its healing mineral waters, drawing visitors from near and far seeking restorative baths.
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of restorative
Verb
  • Cover, turn the heat down to low, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • ToruńCAMERIMAGE 2026 is taking a pluralistic approach to the subject by giving AI advocates and opponents equal time, and the programming appears more interested in stirring the pot and sparking discussion than taking a firm position.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • The development is part of China’s broader push to establish a low-altitude economy covering drones, cargo aircraft and passenger-carrying vehicles.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Competence doesn’t require carrying the entire arrangement yourself.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of carrying
Verb
  • The Rapid Repair Bond Builder+ Collection helps repair damage from heat, color and styling, strengthening strands from the inside out for healthier, shinier hair.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Weber's campaign has emphasized strengthening election security, protecting voting rights and maintaining access to voting.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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