as in bracing
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerving
Verb
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Now the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are bracing for blizzard conditions and airlines are already trying to ease the storm's impact on operations.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026 -
More than 570 students and dozens of staff are in limbo, awaiting answers and bracing for a possible sudden closure.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The five-day trade fair draws Black businesspersons from dozens of states fortifying Jackson’s assertion that economic development is the way to Black power.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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If healthy, Burrow (5-3 as a starter in 2025) will help significantly elevate the Bengals, as will a free agency and draft devoted to fortifying the defense.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Nerving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerving. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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