psyching (out)

verb

present participle of psych (out)
as in frightening

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for psyching (out)
  1. frightening
  2. terrifying
  3. intimidating
  4. scaring
  5. terrorizing
  6. softening
  7. sapping
  8. wasting
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
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • The simple act of a child pedaling down empty hotel hallways on a Big Wheel builds anticipation, terrifying us with what may be around each corner.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Now a ruthless Emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks in every shadow.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Verb
  • Watching their fearlessness in an environment that outsiders so often frame as hostile or intimidating was another small revelation—a joyous example of how human life continues to flourish in this wildest of places.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The Protection from Abusive Passengers Act would bar passengers fined or convicted for assaulting or intimidating crew or other travellers.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Verb
  • Together the duo enjoy scaring themselves into a teeth-chattering but delightful evening.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Universal announced that Nikki, the character Navarrette plays in Obsession was going to roam all of Horror Nights, scaring people and taking photos like Art the Clown, Dracula, and the Weeknd in years past.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of scaring
Verb
  • Heidi Klum is already terrorizing the general public by teasing what fresh hell awaits us with her forthcoming Halloween costume.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Settler violence against Palestinians has risen sharply during Netanyahu’s tenure, but the militant settlers who make headlines by terrorizing their Palestinian neighbors tend to live on hilltops deeper into the West Bank than this.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrorizing
Verb
  • This shot nails the mural’s vibrant colors and crisp wood-grain details, but upon close inspection, there's some noise and softening on the edges.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of softening
Verb
  • Partita takes a poem that vibrates with political energy and domesticates it, sapping this very famous verse of its revolutionary bite.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Stubbornly high inflation has been sapping consumer confidence and pressuring the Fed, which recently raised its benchmark interest rate in an effort to cool prices.
    — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of sapping
Verb
  • It is often said that voting for an independent is wasting your vote.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • For a time the sea stars did double duty controlling the urchins, but in recent years they have been struck down by an uncontrollable plague, worsened by the state’s warming waters, called, quite literally, sea star wasting disease.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of wasting
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

psychics
psyching (out)
psyching (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Psyching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psyching%20%28out%29. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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