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
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Recent Examples of bracing
Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
The classic styles run from Sercial, the driest and most bracing, through Verdelho, which sits in the medium-dry range, to Boal (or Bual) for medium-sweet wines, and Malvasia (often labeled Malmsey) at the richest end of the spectrum.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Shoppers are paying today's prices for food because of pressures and policies that are raising the costs of energy, labor, transportation and commodities – not refrigerant upgrade costs that grocers were bracing for down the road, Dalheimer said.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bracing
Adjective
That proved to be more bracing than encouraging.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Jan. 2026
The classic styles run from Sercial, the driest and most bracing, through Verdelho, which sits in the medium-dry range, to Boal (or Bual) for medium-sweet wines, and Malvasia (often labeled Malmsey) at the richest end of the spectrum.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
That tight feeling that creeps in around Sunday afternoon — the one that turns a good weekend into a bracing countdown — has a name, and therapists say your Sunday schedule plays a bigger role in it than most people realize.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Shoppers are paying today's prices for food because of pressures and policies that are raising the costs of energy, labor, transportation and commodities – not refrigerant upgrade costs that grocers were bracing for down the road, Dalheimer said.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bracing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bracing
Adjective
-
This Italian liqueur is both bitter and refreshing.—
Sarah Moreno
May 28,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
Check out some of the brand's bestsellers below, including the famous masks and the instantly refreshing Lychee Breeze facial mist.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The honors program provides students with innovative and stimulating academic programming through high-impact learning practices.—
Aegis,
Baltimore Sun,
28 May 2026
-
Cinnamon can be used for everything from germination to protecting plants from pests and diseases, from stimulating plant growth to as a natural antiseptic, fungicide, and pest repellent.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Her hyperfocus on the leaf raises questions that extend far beyond the kitchen, inviting an inquiry into the banana plant’s movement across geographies and its role in sustaining cultural traditions.—
Sophia Rey,
JSTOR Daily,
28 May 2026
-
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
More picks offer more chances at fortifying their roster, or more trade ammunition to move up for a quarterback in a strong draft class next spring.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
-
Microsoft is aggressively fortifying its weak spots.—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
One white student called for restorative justice through education and reconciliation, while another white student wanted to promote uncomfortable conversations.—
Ingrid A. Nelson,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
-
Per the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency, PMMA is only authorized for use as a restorative treatment and not for aesthetic purposes.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
At Eau Bar during early sunset, spring for a poolside lounger to catch a soul-stirring ceremony of bodu beru drummers walking the edge of a circular infinity pool, torch-lighting a fire ring backed by a fading horizon.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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The Human Is Staying In The Picture (Mostly) Screenwriter and director Paul Schrader, at nearly 80 years old an unlikely technology provocateur, delivered a talk at AI on the Lot peppered with pot-stirring takes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Behind him, in single file, trailed a troop of men and women carrying decades-old L1A1 and Lee-Enfield rifles.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The system relied on an 11-parachute sequence to safely decelerate the capsule carrying a crew of four astronauts from over 25,000 mph in space to a gentle 20 mph splashdown.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This unique capability supports readiness while strengthening the industrial base and bringing certainty to modernization.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Bell unspooled an agenda centered on improving graduation rates and job placement, strengthening athletics, enhancing Greek life and the broader student experience, recruiting top faculty and expanding UF’s academic medical enterprise.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bracing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bracing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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