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
  • Writer-director Jacob Chase is uniquely qualified to distill what really scares audiences.
    — William Earl, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists the Italian is excited by a challenge that would scare many.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scare
Verb
  • If your child is frightened of needles, another option is nasal spray.
    — Eva Flowe August 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And for members who have a long history, who are used to running on that long history, that frightens them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of frighten
Verb
  • But there’s plenty of evidence that many Iranian women are not intimidated by official campaigns.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • While bidding adieu to dirty diapers is something most parents look forward to (and some actively long for), navigating the murky waters of potty training can be intimidating, nevertheless.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidate
Verb
  • Stockton Police Department Jail records show other charges Bautista faces are felony threat crime with intent to terrorize, vehicle theft and a parole violation.
    — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Surveillance footage captured the brief window of time when a masked man wearing a creepy Chucky-style Halloween mask terrorized multiple people in downtown Philadelphia.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrorize
Verb
  • For Thomas, unpacking what went wrong goes well beyond the headless bodies, terrifying phone calls and dead ends.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jurors in 2025 failed to reach verdicts in the case that terrified Davis in late April and early May 2023.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrify
Verb
  • Mental health conditions such as depression can sap both energy and motivation, while medical issues including hypothyroidism, anemia and chronic fatigue syndrome can also cause debilitating symptoms.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The yield surge is largely a result of mounting investor concerns about persistent US inflation and ballooning government debt, as well as competition from corporate AI-buildout debt that is sapping demand for Treasuries.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sap
Verb
  • Clarify one detail, soften one assumption, and leave room for a smart edit.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That’s because the scent leads with a masculine-leaning opening of almond blossom, pink pepper, and neroli, before softening to its woody vanilla base.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • New Florida women’s soccer coach Nick Zimmerman wasted little time signaling better days are ahead — much sooner than anyone expected.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 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 Aug. 2026.

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