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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But the league’s rights partners are also bracing for early renewal talks with the league, which has an opt-out clause in a couple of years.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 2026 -
But in his own primary night speech, Talarico sought to brace his supporters for the fusillade of attacks that would be coming his way.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In survival mode, many brands have been forced to knuckle down and fortify their business strategies, in hopes of setting them up for success against a difficult backdrop.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Both Kadri and Roy were added to fortify what is now the best collection of centers in the NHL, but that doesn’t mean either, or both, is always going to line up in the middle of the ice.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mohammed al-Basha, a Middle East politics-and-security expert, told me that the Houthis have been readying themselves for action.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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At press time, the company is readying its forthcoming stage adaptation of Imitation of Life, set for a Shed premiere with music and lyrics by Legend.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
12 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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