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
  • In the end, however, Mitić’s intrepid approach is undeniably bracing, and held together at its core by Kostić’s simmering performance.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • As reports of serious head injuries mounted, longtime riders of X2 took to internet forums to question the aging coaster’s increasingly jarring experience and give advice on how riders could brace themselves to avoid a concussion.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 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
  • Cameras finally rolled in the fall of 2025, launching an accelerated process to ready the film for Blair’s return to Sundance in 2026.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to the raft of earnings, traders are readying for the start of the Federal Reserve’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, kicking off Thursday.
    — Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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