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
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mind
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
a novel that explores the psyche of a depressed teen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of psych (up)
James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
This was a devastating tragedy that forever changed our national psyche.
—Dr. Richard Fichman, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Mercury harmonizing with Neptune can access your psyche through engaging in spontaneous play.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Many engaged with the attendees the way a motivational speaker would by attempting to drum up passion; not necessarily for one’s inner psyche but for the world of real estate.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Noun
Of course—as at any breakthrough moment, any evolutionary threshold of the psyche—you’re being swarmed by the old demons, now at extra strength: guilt, disgrace, an image of your mother scolding you.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
This was a devastating tragedy that forever changed our national psyche.
—Dr. Richard Fichman, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Mercury harmonizing with Neptune can access your psyche through engaging in spontaneous play.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Many engaged with the attendees the way a motivational speaker would by attempting to drum up passion; not necessarily for one’s inner psyche but for the world of real estate.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
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Born into the cult, Prophet draws comparisons between the group’s apocalyptic dogma (braced for a Soviet nuclear strike, the church built extensive Montana bomb shelters in the early 1990s), and Christian Nationalism, QAnon and the MAGA movement.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Colorado’s health department is bracing for several layoffs early next month for workers focused on cancer and heart disease prevention, thanks to the apparent loss of nearly $2 million in federal grant funding and the state’s own bleak fiscal outlook.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
Noun
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You are being offered so much energy and opportunity to let your soul express itself and radiate like a star.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
13 July 2025
-
Simmons considered Ragsdale the heart and soul of her camp, both spiritual leader and educator.—
Frank Morris,
NPR,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Nichols’s insecurities came to mind while reading Leslie’s analysis of Lennon and McCartney.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Looking back at 2024, some prominent CFO hires that come to mind include Alphabet’s recruitment of Anat Ashkenazi from her CFO role at Eli Lilly, bringing her on as the tech company’s finance chief.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
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
Noun
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The fun-loving spirit of the shimmery product was captured in the punky campaign, inspired by the 2012 thriller in which Gomez starred alongside Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine and James Franco.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
8 July 2025
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There was no moment in the tournament that better captured the spirit of football and its role as an emotional release valve than when every member of the squad hounded Gray.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Increases Blood Potassium Levels Your body needs potassium for kidney, heart, muscle, and brain functions.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 July 2025
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One problem is that in most organization, knowledge is spread around in many systems, brains and silos.—
Stephen Diorio,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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That phase entails readying the land for the future Wawa site as well, road improvements on Billtown Road to better accommodate the development and extending Gellhaus Lane through the project site as part of the future expanded Veterans Drive.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
13 July 2025
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The Hollywood Reporter reported in April that Bieber had assembled a new team and was readying the next chapter of his professional career.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
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Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
19 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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