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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Rosen has voiced frustration with the prospect of having supported Measure A and still bracing for heavy cuts to his office.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026 -
Hernandez and other Solano mayors are bracing for the number of job losses to keep climbing, potentially into the thousands.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That reputation was fortified during Hoellering’s reign, which lasted until his death, in 1980, and crystallized by an unforgettable series of posters.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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His solution to fortifying our republic was to empower all citizens with the knowledge of and commitment to our Constitution, laws and democratic processes.—
Erin Carlson Mast,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kenya will buy back outstanding bonds and issue new dollar debt after its credit rating was raised last month, while Côte d’Ivoire is readying a similar strategy, Bloomberg reported.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
19 Feb. 2026
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On the 16th pitch of Yamamoto’s live batting practice, Kim crushed an opposite-field home run, dazzling the hundreds of Dodgers fans gathered to watch the team ready itself for its first slate of exhibition games that begin Saturday.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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