psych (out)

verb

Definition of psych (out)next
as in to scare

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (out)
  1. scare
  2. frighten
  3. intimidate
  4. terrorize
  5. terrify
  6. sap
  7. soften
  8. waste
Verb
  • The anti-45 campaign is trying to scare voters with a Halloween bogeyman.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Although Down was not the victim, the case definitely scared her family.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • Politicians could no longer rely on local patrons to intimidate people into voting for them and had to compete on representing their interests.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Drivers who intimidate on purpose are surprisingly plentiful.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • He is charged with battery causing bodily harm and kidnapping and inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing a victim.
    — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Criminal organizations terrorize Arab communities, while killings have reached unprecedented levels under the current government – largely through state complicity.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrorize
Verb
  • Afterward, the boy was terrified of the police, said his mother, Colette James.
    — Rosie Cima, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • By this point, the audience knows the monster a little too well to be properly terrified of her.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • Fortune recently reported on wealthy parents’ growing fear that their fortunes will sap their children’s drive.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In the last quarter-century, relentless drought intensified by climate change has sapped the river’s flow and left its reservoirs severely depleted.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sap
Verb
  • But on that score, too, Jackson tries to soften the caricature of the billionaire executive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Add the shallot to the skillet, along with the salt and black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, or until the shallot starts to soften.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • In Southern California and across the country, Halloween costume swaps and thrift stores are keeping costumes from going to waste.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The city of Milwaukee waited 46 years to see its team in the Fall Classic, and this year's Brewers wanted to stop wasting time.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of waste
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

psychotic
psych (out)
psychs (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Psych (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28out%29. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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