as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
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Indian traders are bracing for a year of record government debt supply, which may keep borrowing costs elevated in the nation’s bond market.—
Subhadip Sircar,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026 -
Tri-State Area residents are bracing themselves for an extended period of unseasonably cold temperatures.—
Justin Lewis,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Orioles brought in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward for their lineup while adding Shane Baz and Ryan Helsley to fortify their pitching staff.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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No doubt to fortify the regime.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tournament ground’s Circle of Palms readies an upgrade with the debut of the Veroni Charcuterie and Champagne Lounge.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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On the other side of a chain link fence, a women’s pickleball foursome click-clacked through a couple of sets, seemingly clueless about the identity of the two young men readying themselves for the start of the 2026 season.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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