BUOY (UP) Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

buoy (up)

verb

Definition of buoy (up)

as in to inspire

to fill with courage or strength of purpose the sudden improvement in his health buoyed him up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buoy (up)

Verb

The announcement of a new investor without any details about who that investor is will also not exactly inspire confidence.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The character at its center is Bret Easton Ellis — played here by Igby Rigney, who does look eerily like the author’s high-school yearbook photo — and the book and series are largely inspired by Ellis’s real-life senior year at the Buckley School.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspire

Verb

Boundless San Francisco, which encourages out-of-the-box ideas, echoes the venture capital ethos, Crankstart Chief Executive Officer Missy Narula said.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
The communication drills are intended to encourage first-line fighters to be more self-reliant and effective in battle, experts say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

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

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.

Browse Nearby Words

buoys (up)

buoy (up)

burble

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Buoy (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buoy%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of buoy (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes