PSYCHING (OUT) Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

psyching (out)

verb

present participle of psych (out)

as in frightening

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for psyching (out)

Verb

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
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.

— Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

Be a menace to people in the community, driving his boat 70 to 80 miles per hour, driving around scaring the heck out of people, taking people's lives.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Notably, the research shows that pumas contribute most to decreased deer-vehicle collisions by scaring their prey, and not killing them, highlights Mark Elbroch, director of the Puma Program for Panthera and also a study co-author.

— Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of scaring

Verb

Every few decades since its founding a dark and deadly cycle begins, terrorizing the local community, many of whom are unable to survive beyond the island’s borders.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Rising antisemitic hate-crime stats suggest the proliferation of deranged bigots terrorizing the Jewish community, some who may go on to commit deadly crimes if they are not apprehended.

— Rachel Sales, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrorizing

Verb

Now, parts and service departments and finance and insurance packages are becoming more important sources of profit for car dealers, as profits from new vehicle sales show signs of softening.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
In addition to softening the shape, Zurek also explored new types of leathers and finishes.

— Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of softening

Verb

None of these potentially confidence-sapping passages fazed Madjo.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat in Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, straining power grids, sapping water supplies and curbing farm output.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of sapping

Verb

The company then has to abandon the tool or build a custom system anyway, wasting much of the original work.

— Komninos Chatzipapas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Skeptics say such psychic profilers do more harm than good by wasting police resources and exploiting grieving families.

— Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasting

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psychics

psyching (out)

psyching (up)

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“Psyching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psyching%20%28out%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of psyching (out)

verb

Example Sentences

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