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
Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 France is bracing for yet another wave of protests this weekend with authorities racing to prevent a repeat of the kind of violence and riots that hit the nation last week. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 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 shoes were a refreshing change of pace for Coon, who’s been seen in classy but less-than-colorful footwear as of late.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Manners are important, and seeing someone with good manners is refreshing.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Verb
  • Some see promise in manipulating the gut microbiome; others are exploring the potential of stimulating the vagus nerve, eliciting a psychedelic experience or repurposing drugs that might quiet inflammation in the brain.
    — Lynne Peeples, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Mounjaro and Zepbound, also made by Eli Lilly, mimic the effects of GLP-1 as well as GIP, a type of hormone that helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Dieffenbach made the big play after sustaining an apparent leg injury on a hard hit late in the first half.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • Tensions between North and South Korea have risen since Pyongyang began fortifying its border in April 2024.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Tensions between North and South Korea have risen since Pyongyang began fortifying its ‌border ⁠in April 2024.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fortifying
Adjective
  • The following day, restorative massages in the hotel’s spa, Umari, were followed with relaxing strolls through the enchanting walled city.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And even for those who are just ordinarily stressed, being around horses can be calming and restorative — part of a somatic healing approach, which focuses on how the body holds on to emotions.
    — Ondine Cohane, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of restorative
Verb
  • Add 1 cup orzo and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Andrew Durand, with his handsome crab-apple features, makes a perfectly quizzical Benjamin; Kelsee Kimmel is stirring as his true love, who shares his age just once.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • Different animal species have their own flea species, so rats and plague-carrying fleas traveled together.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • That supplier could be seen in a video carrying a bag, which prosecutors say contained a kilo of cocaine.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of carrying
Verb
  • These questions shift technology governance from managing individual problems toward strengthening organizational adaptability.
    — Chandini Sheeba, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Eizenkot has campaigned on restoring public trust in government, strengthening Israel’s security, and preserving its foundation as a Jewish democracy.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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