1
as in supports
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
wore a brace for the injured knee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pair
two things of the same or similar kind that match or are considered together
bagged a brace of pheasants
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in stimulates
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
the pep talk braced the team up for the second half
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in carries
to hold up or serve as a foundation for
several boards braced the wall
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in fortifies
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
she braced herself for the job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of braces
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
In practice, the change in step functions similarly to certain knee braces, Uhlrich said.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Orthodontic tips are for use with braces and other orthodontics.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
Robinson had braces in the yearbook photo, a childlike image that made the moment all the more poignant.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
But Bodie, with his room full of swords and adult braces, is the kind of wacky force that requires a clarity of vision and Winter isn’t up to the task.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
Or, Wu suggested, instead of opting for clear plastic aligners, a person could get metal braces or retainers.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
In addition, Elena Sorci, manager of Hanger Clinic in Frankfort and a certified prosthetist/orthotist who has helped Pomykala with her braces, will set up a table at the walk.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
This time, those items, in addition to knee braces and cleats, will travel with the players.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
As Major League Baseball reportedly braces for its own salary cap, these risks only grow.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Vietnam braces for powerful storm The Vietnamese government expects Kajiki, the fifth tropical storm to hit the country this year, to be as powerful as Typhoon Yagi, which brushed Vietnam’s north last year—killing 300 people in the country and leaving more than $3 billion in damages in its wake.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
North Carolina braces for towering waves from Hurricane Erin.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Walsh’s selection comes as Kansas braces for a polarizing fight over whether to return to a system of directly electing high court justices after more than 60 years of relying on a nominating commission that screens candidates and picks three finalists for the governor to choose from.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The latest threat comes as the industry braces for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Commerce Department into the national security implications of America's medicinal imports.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
As the industry braces for surprises and snubs, some big players are poised to lead the charge, while others hope for last-minute breakthroughs.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
This includes search dogs and teams trained to rescue people from collapsed buildings as the island braces for severe damage.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
Real Madrid and Marseille last met back in the 2009-10 group stage, when Cristiano Ronaldo scored braces in both the home and away fixtures.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
In practice, the change in step functions similarly to certain knee braces, Uhlrich said.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Orthodontic tips are for use with braces and other orthodontics.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025
Robinson had braces in the yearbook photo, a childlike image that made the moment all the more poignant.
—Davis Winkie, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
But Bodie, with his room full of swords and adult braces, is the kind of wacky force that requires a clarity of vision and Winter isn’t up to the task.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
Or, Wu suggested, instead of opting for clear plastic aligners, a person could get metal braces or retainers.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
In addition, Elena Sorci, manager of Hanger Clinic in Frankfort and a certified prosthetist/orthotist who has helped Pomykala with her braces, will set up a table at the walk.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
This time, those items, in addition to knee braces and cleats, will travel with the players.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
As Chicago braces for a similar crackdown, the Los Angeles effort topped 5,000 arrests last week.
—Elliot Spagat, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
As Major League Baseball reportedly braces for its own salary cap, these risks only grow.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Vietnam braces for powerful storm The Vietnamese government expects Kajiki, the fifth tropical storm to hit the country this year, to be as powerful as Typhoon Yagi, which brushed Vietnam’s north last year—killing 300 people in the country and leaving more than $3 billion in damages in its wake.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
North Carolina braces for towering waves from Hurricane Erin.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Walsh’s selection comes as Kansas braces for a polarizing fight over whether to return to a system of directly electing high court justices after more than 60 years of relying on a nominating commission that screens candidates and picks three finalists for the governor to choose from.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images The latest threat comes as the industry braces for the outcome of an ongoing probe by the Commerce Department into the national security implications of America's medicinal imports.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025
As the industry braces for surprises and snubs, some big players are poised to lead the charge, while others hope for last-minute breakthroughs.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
This includes search dogs and teams trained to rescue people from collapsed buildings as the island braces for severe damage.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for braces
Noun
-
These supports also would be integrated in the Administration’s Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) demonstration model.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Changes to food assistance, Medicaid eligibility, and tax credits may reduce critical supports for low-income households.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The pair also famously visited The Plough at Cadsden in Buckinghamshire, a pub near Chequers, the country residence of British prime ministers, where Xi quaffed a pint of Greene King IPA (Indian Pale Ale).—
Ian King,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
In Middlesex League action, Kaylee Master recorded a hat trick, Sophia Setouhi added a pair and Gianna Venezia scored her first varsity goal as Watertown (5-0) blanked Woburn, 7-0, for its 102nd straight field hockey win.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The back went for 96 yards on 25 carries in the Chargers’ win over Denver last October.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Cable viewers can watch the tournament on Tennis Channel, while cord-cutters can livestream on a live TV streaming service that carries the network, including Sling Blue with Sports Extra.—
Rudie Obias,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trying to stay ahead of the game, for Dick’s the acquisition of Foot Locker also fortifies relationships with Nike and Adidas, which still dominate global footwear sales, and gives Dick’s negotiating leverage.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The future Hall of Famer only fortifies the talented roster, and gives Houston an experienced star who has the championship hardware to prove it.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Knicks are adding reinforcements to their roster after a stellar playoff run last season.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But Bradley is one of several Eagles who could get the call when reinforcements are needed.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Gianvito Rossi has crafted a beautiful pair, while the high street has certainly got the brown boot memo, with stand-out styles at Massimo Dutti and COS.—
Emma Spedding,
Vogue,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The pair referred to, Vanderbilt University’s Daniel Diermeier and Washington University’s Andrew Martin, have taken a very different approach than the maximalist resistance stance of many elite university leaders.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Its power consumption spikes during takeoff, but researchers note the pattern closely mirrors the high metabolic cost of takeoff in living birds.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Membership spikes during periods of uncertainty.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Braces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/braces. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share