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
-
In May 2025, Peralta-Quintana was charged with intimidating and retaliating against a witness, and he was convicted on those counts as well, the DA said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
February 19 – March 20 Money choices don’t have to be intimidating today.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 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
-
The situation is so bad that research firms are predicting both the smartphone and PC industry will experience around a 10% decrease in shipments during 2026 due to the rising component costs sapping demand and production.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
18 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.
Cite this Entry
“Psyching (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psyching%20%28out%29. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
