buck up

verb

Definition of buck upnext
1
as in to brighten
to become glad or hopeful buck up, kids, it's not so bad as you're making it out to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose a surprise presidential visit to buck up the troops

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 buck up Signal flares shot into the social media sky are meant to jumpstart conversations with coaches needing to plug holes or buck up slouching fan bases. — Brian Davis, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026 While waiting for help, stay bucked up inside your vehicle. — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Defense gonna have to buck up yet again. — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 And then, over the course of the six episodes, Julie does encourage him to buck up at a little bit. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for buck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buck up
  1. brighten
  2. encourage
  3. look up
  4. inspire
  5. glow
  6. bear up
  7. revive
Verb
  • Strawberry, orange, peach and passion fruit flavors brighten this West Coast IPA.
    — Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 21 July 2026
  • In this cocktail from Nguyen, Japanese rice vinegar’s gentle acidity brightens the drink without overpowering the other ingredients.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of brighten
Verb
  • Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Michigan relies on supply chains that are heavily integrated with Canada after decades of policies that encouraged reducing bilateral trade barriers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Topline The Perseid meteor shower — one of 2026’s celestial highlights — may be stealing the headlines this summer, but skywatchers have another opportunity to look up this week.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Trend-right product across the portfolio lifted Steve Madden‘s second quarter earnings, and things are looking up for the rest of the year.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 30 July 2026
Definition of look up
Verb
  • The book — with its treatment of racial integration as equivalent to the death-penalty federal crime of treason — has inspired numerous acts of racist violence through the years since its publication.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Terminal 26, a new restaurant in Ponce City Market’s central food hall, is inspired by Thailand’s famous floating markets, where goods are sold from boats and riverbank stalls.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • While only a handful appear each hour before the shower reaches maximum activity, early Perseids are known for producing vivid green fireballs and long-lasting glowing trails.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Despite glowing reviews and fans begging for its release, a film industry dominated by political correctness refused to touch it.
    — William Earl, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.
    — Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.
    — Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Definition of bear up
Verb
  • Coating actual Pringles in Hershey’s chocolate would revive the concept as the sweet-and-salty snack it was always meant to be.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The next chapter will mark the show’s 10th season since being revived by ABC.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of revive

Browse Nearby Words

bucks up
buck up
bucolic
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Cite this Entry

“Buck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buck%20up. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of buck up for Spanish Speakers

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