1
as in looking up
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 inspiring
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bucking up
Verb
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That’s one investment that has proved rather unfruitful so far, although things appear to be looking up for WBD investors currently with company on the auction block and simultaneously preparing to separate its cable operations and studios/streaming into to companies.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025 -
In the Instagram carousel, Travis shared a photo of Rocky — already taking inspiration from his dad in a rock tee shirt and green and white sweatpants — showing off his curiosity by looking up at a sign of what appeared to be a yeti.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Moonshot Museum opened in 2022 and was Pennsylvania's first space museum as well as the first in the world to focus on inspiring young people to pursue a career in the modern space industry.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Professional sports are rapacious for-profit enterprises that produce wildly entertaining, sometimes violent, and sometimes inspiring athletic competition.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gerdes loves to work silver foliage plants like dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) into containers, their light, shimmery leaves brightening up the garden.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
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Chicken and rice is a satisfying choice for brightening anyone's day.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.—
Caitlyn Martyn
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FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bucking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bucking%20up. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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