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Definitions

psych up

VERB
embolden
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buoy energize inspire invigorate reassure spur sway
STRONG
boost cheer exhilarate goad inspirit push rally refresh revitalize stir
WEAK
enhearten give courage give pep talk
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage dishearten dissuade
STRONG
depress
VERB
encourage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boost buoy embolden hearten inspire reassure restore spur strengthen
STRONG
animate applaud brighten cheer comfort console energize enliven excite exhilarate fortify galvanize gladden goad incite inspirit instigate praise prick push rally refresh revitalize revivify rouse steel stir sway
WEAK
buck up cheer up enhearten give shot in arm prop up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage dishearten dissuade hurt
STRONG
agitate annoy bore calm deaden depress deter dull leave alone repress sadden tire trouble upset weaken
WEAK
block confuse dampen deject dispirit uninspire
VERB
inspirit
Synonyms
STRONG
animate applaud boost brighten buoy cheer comfort console embolden energize enliven excite exhilarate fortify galvanize gladden goad hearten incite inspire instigate motivate praise prick push rally reassure refresh restore revitalize revivify rouse spur steel stir strengthen sway
WEAK
buck up cheer up enhearten give shot in arm prop up
Antonyms
STRONG
agitate annoy bore bring down calm damage deaden decrease depress deter discourage dishearten dissuade dull halt hurt leave alone prevent repress sadden tire trouble upset weaken
VERB
ready
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrange brace equip fit fix gird provide warm up
STRONG
brief fortify get make order organize post prep set strengthen
WEAK
clear the decks fill in fit out gear up get ready get set keep posted let in on make ready make up pave the way put on to wise up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disarrange disorganize
STRONG
disallow discourage disorder displace dissuade halt prevent weaken
WEAK
hold back retard slow

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cameras trail the athletes as they psych up for their heats with cue-the-“Rocky”-theme-song intensity.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 26, 2019

It is an argument that, at the very least, jibes with the person who greets each football player as he gets off the bus and who races onto the field to psych up the “polis.”

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2014

Perhaps foolishly, this week I tried to psych up my son, who isn’t looking forward to returning to his state elementary school in Beijing and those new characters.

From New York Times • Aug. 23, 2012

"As Freud said to Jung in Vienna, you can psych up too much for a darts match."

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2012

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.