PSYCH-OUT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

psych (out)

verb

Definition of psych (out)

as in to scare

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (out)

Verb

Since reintroducing Mexican wolves in 1998, the Fish and Wildlife Service has employed some programs to help manage livestock-wolf conflict, like using range-riders to monitor and deter wolves and scaring them off using non-lethal methods.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026
What scares me is to see so many people traveling so fast with electric power and with, presumably, no training!

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

However, Stone told Bialik that she was not frightened by the encounter.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
The prospect of Sean Steur or Lewis Hall — whose contract situation Wilson refused to be drawn on, despite being asked three times — leaving is not something which frightens the hierarchy.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians.

— María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
More generally, the movie, directed by Elegance Bratton, is about the historical context of this murder, the conscious and organized effort by white Southern citizens and officials to intimidate, persecute, and subjugate Black people.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

On that day here at home, the country looked as if for the first time at every vulnerability, reorganizing local and state and federal government to do everything in our power to stop radical jihadists from terrorizing us again.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
That a Christian man was responsible for the devastation in Oklahoma City certainly didn’t matter to the thugs who terrorized a Muslim woman there, nearly seven months pregnant, by attacking her home, breaking her windows, screaming religious slurs.

— Reshma Memon Yaqub, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrorize

Verb

William James almost eerily comfortable in situations that terrify everyone around him.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Lily James and Jack Reynor‘s forthcoming horror-suspense film is aiming to terrify moviegoers just after the traditional spooky season.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

After more than 26 years of drought and climate change sapped the river's supply, the nation's two largest reservoirs — Lake Powell and Lake Mead — are at record lows.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of sap

Verb

This unit has plenty of opportunities to gel by November, when the schedule softens a bit before a potential playoff push.

— Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
But while anti-immigrant, pro-Russian parties have made inroads across the continent in recent years, there have also been notable reversals, and some have softened their views to build coalitions with moderates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of soften

Verb

Bournemouth were profligate, despite scoring through Marcus Tavernier and forcing a Malick Thiaw own goal, with multiple first-half chances wasted.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Faster speeds generally mean a compromise in quality, multi-color 3D printers often waste some filament, and higher volume loads usually demand more hardware.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 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.

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psychotic

psych (out)

psychs (out)

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“Psych (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28out%29. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of psych (out)

verb

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