psyching (out)

Definition of psyching (out)next
present participle of psych (out)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for psyching (out)
Verb
  • Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.
    Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
  • But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The air in the room changed immediately, terrifying little Liza.
    Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Pic was written and directed by horror filmmaker Ian Tuason, and follows the host (Nina Kiri) of a popular paranormal podcast who becomes haunted by terrifying recordings mysteriously sent her way.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • General Daily Insight for March 27, 2026 Having fun can make intimidating schedules much easier to handle.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But those projects can be expensive to design and intimidating to apply for.
    Mark Dee March 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In a story translated from Korean, a ghost aches with loneliness after scaring everyone away; in a story translated from Arabic, a midwife is called to aid with the birth of … something.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Overbey was cautious, though, about not scaring parents.
    Emily Brindley Health Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Also his signature immigration policy, these mass deportations, has become broadly unpopular, especially after the two killings in Minneapolis and these scenes of federal agents seemingly terrorizing people.
    Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Cartel members are terrorizing many regions by setting fire to businesses and with gunfire in public areas.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The biggest red flag for backcountry travelers is rapidly softening snow.
    Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday as policymakers face growing signs of a softening job market, even as the war in Iran puts more upward pressure on prices.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Wikipedia will still have to contend with AI bots sapping its bandwidth, but at least this will ensure that the text those AIs are learning from is accurate and human-generated—not some AI ouroboros.
    Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Such a designation, evidently, would save agents from wasting time chasing phantoms.
    Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Avoid space-wasting moves, such as storing tall bottles on the same shelf as short cocktail tumblers.
    Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
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

Cite this Entry

“Psyching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psyching%20%28out%29. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster