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
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
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Amid the nods to social media and cancel culture and the shallow perils of modern celebrity, the image of Taylor-Joy’s disciplined group of insurgents, who speak in almost archaic, poetic dialogue, strikes a bracing contrast.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Aaa - Mountain Group,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
With SpaceX’s historic initial public offering minting a small army of new millionaires overnight, the Southern California housing market is bracing for a big wave of buyers looking to upgrade their digs or perhaps snag a second home, potentially driving up prices in some in-demand neighborhoods.
—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bracing
Adjective
This fortified wine, which gets its complex flavor from a blend of botanicals, adds depth to this cocktail, softening the bracing intensity of the base spirit and making for a delightfully smooth drink.
—
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
Amid the nods to social media and cancel culture and the shallow perils of modern celebrity, the image of Taylor-Joy’s disciplined group of insurgents, who speak in almost archaic, poetic dialogue, strikes a bracing contrast.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
America’s highways are bracing for record-breaking traffic this Fourth Of July weekend.
—
Aaa - Mountain Group,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
With SpaceX’s historic initial public offering minting a small army of new millionaires overnight, the Southern California housing market is bracing for a big wave of buyers looking to upgrade their digs or perhaps snag a second home, potentially driving up prices in some in-demand neighborhoods.
—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bracing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bracing
Adjective
-
Ahead, everything to know about this beachside favorite, along with refreshing ways to style this timeless look all summer long.
-
The arils are deep ruby-red in color and have a sweet yet slightly tart flavor that many people find refreshing.
Verb
-
Red light is mitochondrially stimulating, so late-night use can disrupt sleep.
-
Performance benefits often persist even in habitual users, even if the stimulating feel-good buzz fades.
Verb
-
Gifford had to have a follow-up hip surgery after sustaining a fracture from being too physically active in her condition, People noted.
-
The training package included in the contract is expected to prepare Polish crews and technical personnel for operating and sustaining the new fleet over its service life.
Verb
-
Major powers are developing advanced anti-satellite weapons and fortifying their space infrastructure, with Russia and China investing in counterspace capabilities.
-
It is primarily tasked with repairing and fortifying the city’s more than 210,000 streetlamps — a frequent target of copper wire thieves — and maintaining its network of electrical vehicle charging stations.
Adjective
-
But mostly, this trek through emotionally rocky territory is a solitary mission, and Marina’s navigation of it gives Romería its quiet, restorative power.
-
Given how scarring those early eliminations were at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, their advancement alone has some restorative worth.
Verb
-
Roast until the berries soften and the juices become syrupy, 30-35 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
-
The Zoroastrian high priest responded by stirring a pinch of sugar into the milk without spilling a drop.
Verb
-
Demonstrators express frustration Protesters marching through Johannesburg’s city center Tuesday included young men carrying traditional fighting sticks and women of all ages.
-
Dark figures were darting through the shadows—Germans were carrying sacks and pillows to their building.
Verb
-
Yes, rucking can improve posture by strengthening the upper back, shoulders and core muscles that hold your spine upright.
-
Machine learning systems can identify suspicious patterns and behavioral anomalies in real time, strengthening both fraud prevention and member protection.
Cite this Entry
“Bracing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bracing. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
