bucked up

verb

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

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

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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 bucked up While waiting for help, stay bucked up inside your vehicle. — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bucked up
  1. brightened
  2. inspired
  3. looked up
  4. encouraged
Verb
  • Kristin opened her mouth a little, not to speak, and the angel brightened, and the man’s voice got farther away.
    — Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
  • Much of the route ran beside a long wall covered in street art, which brightened the otherwise industrial surroundings.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of brightened
Verb
  • The latest launch, inspired by a record-playing bar in Kyoto called Jazz, has been selling out constantly.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This partnership combines Ortiz’s signature patterns with a unique Cartagena design inspired by Colombia’s landscape and rich biodiversity.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of inspired
Verb
  • Officials for the nonprofit said that Foreman was a critical part of their team who many looked up to.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • After an hour and a half, Hubbard emerged, with his head down, then looked up at his team, who were standing outside waiting for him.
    — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of looked up
Verb
  • Crystal Sosa said her husband encouraged her to take on the challenge.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Communal spaces create an environment where guests and crew are encouraged to interact, while low-maintenance materials aim to maximize crew productivity.
    — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraged

Browse Nearby Words

bucked
bucked up
bucket
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Cite this Entry

“Bucked up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bucked%20up. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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