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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England are braced for potential disruption to their two warm-up friendlies in Florida, against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday, and Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
3 June 2026 -
Although the novel’s center does not quite hold, O’Farrell’s emotional intelligence — the heart and heat of her characters — braces this sometimes unwieldy chronicle of a nation that has been subject to cumbrous historic agonies.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Cereals are usually fortified with B vitamins, folic acid, and iron.—
Jennifer Lefton,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
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Unknown to the Americans, and unspotted by their air reconnaissance, Peleliu is full of deep underground cave networks, which the Japanese had fortified and stocked with food, water and ammunition.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The delay on the visas meant waiting three months for the SS Marco Polo to return to Genoa, then ready itself for the next crossing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Hong attributed the months of delay to the overhaul of the ship, safety checks and readying the necessary paperwork.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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