psych (up)

verb

ˈsīk How to pronounce psych (up) (audio)
Definition of psych (up)next
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)
  1. brace
  2. fortify
  3. ready
Verb
  • Tropical Storm Moke is making its closest approach to Hawaii as the state braces for its second tropical threat in less than a week after deadly Hurricane Lala tore through parts of the islands.
    — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • And this morning, Americans are now bracing for an all-out trade war with one of our closest allies and also our neighbor to the north.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of brace
Verb
  • Some are working to entice larger systems to buy them, hoping to fortify their finances.
    — Daniel Payne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
  • By the end of the day, Khālid had fortified the palace and was prepared to dig in and fight.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • The zoo’s veterinary team collaborated with cancer specialists at nearby University of Liverpool to adapt an emerging treatment called electrochemotherapy, readying it for first-time use in a snake.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On Tuesday, OpenAI executives said the industry would need a more expansive strategy for readying itself for future models.
    — Deepa Seetharaman, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of ready
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

psychs (out)
psych (up)
PT boat
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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 29 Aug. 2026.

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