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
  • The entire domestic box office was bracing for the Independence Day doldrums.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 July 2026
  • But true lambrusco, made in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna is dry, bracing and delicately effervescent.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of brace
Verb
  • Or mountains of chips covered in mole or salsa fortified with chile pasilla in Oaxaca.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • All of this came after Florida’s four trades for star forward Brady Tkachuk, starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, backup goaltender Akira Schmid and fourth-line forward Garnet Hathaway to fortify what on paper was already a stout roster.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of fortify
Verb
  • Catalan composer and experimental musician Marina Herlop is readying a new album, Dja Dja.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • The city is also readying for the possibility of pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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