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
Relevance
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
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
The outlook Going forward, will Brightline generate enough revenue to buck up its reserves and make a profit over the long term?
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Dallas keeps bringing up last year’s six-game win over Colorado in an apparent effort to buck up themselves and their despondent fans, who are rending their garments over a meaningless seven-game losing streak to end the season.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The small-town infrastructure was starting to buck up against NASCAR’s ascending popularity — something racing officials wanted to capitalize on by building state-of-the-art tracks out West.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buck up
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025
The outlook Going forward, will Brightline generate enough revenue to buck up its reserves and make a profit over the long term?
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Dallas keeps bringing up last year’s six-game win over Colorado in an apparent effort to buck up themselves and their despondent fans, who are rending their garments over a meaningless seven-game losing streak to end the season.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The small-town infrastructure was starting to buck up against NASCAR’s ascending popularity — something racing officials wanted to capitalize on by building state-of-the-art tracks out West.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buck up
Verb
-
How to Eat To brighten up your winter menu, make a tropical-fruit juice salad with kiwi.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
An InStyle writer swears by the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer for brightening her dark under-eye circles and acne marks.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The boy looked up mid-sob, startled.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The old, wrinkled one looks up at Helm’s mountain, at the sky above its summit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nicole said her costume was actually inspired by a childhood friend, ironically named Taylor.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The reality star has been studying through an apprenticeship program in California and was inspired to pursue a career in the legal field, focusing on criminal justice reform.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 20th Century and Disney pic is coming well ahead of expectations, thanks to glowing reviews and equally growing audience reaction.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
-
At that point, out of the vast and silent ether, messages will come glowing into your inbox one after another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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
-
Harriet remembered there was something: inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of solitude.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Barnes & Noble will open four new bookstores in the Chicago area by summertime, including a flagship location downtown on State Street, part of a national move to revive its brick-and-mortar retail presence.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
An effort to set that up stalled in the California legislature last year, but there's a growing pressure to revive something like it.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buck%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share