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
-
That chorus is your cue to start looking up.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
22 Feb. 2026 -
Nearly everyone was looking up at the slope, hoping against hope.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Explore 21 inspiring nail looks for Pisces season.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
And after sunset, watch the street performers put up awe-inspiring acts.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With Demna‘s first runway show for Gucci only a few weeks away, sentiment seems to be brightening around prospects for Kering‘s linchpin luxury property, which accounts for 39 percent of group sales.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
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This will help the aurora’s colors maintain a lush appearance without brightening the black sky.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Someone in the video is heard encouraging Hellebuyck to respond to the president.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
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Fiery Mars leaps into a supportive sextile to healing Chiron, encouraging us to make the first move in mending strained bonds of any type.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Cite this Entry
“Bucking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bucking%20up. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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