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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Song’s demystification of what passes for love in a typical rom-com is bracing.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025 -
Acapulco residents had braced for Erick's arrival with more preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation two years earlier.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Following the January departure of Flos B&B Italia’s chief executive officer, luxury veteran Daniel Lalonde, its new management has been focused on fortifying each firm in its portfolio before selling them off.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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Its railing is fortified with plexiglass safety barriers to prevent children from climbing, according to USA Today.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The first full-time Waldorf Astoria residents have already moved in, and the hotel is readying for its grand opening this summer.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
28 June 2025
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Before the referee had even dropped the whistle from his mouth, Erling Haaland galloped onto the pitch with a coach clearly tasked with readying him to replace Omar Marmoush at the break.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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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 6 Jul. 2025.
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