bracing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrā-siŋ How to pronounce bracing (audio)
Definition of bracingnext
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind a chilly but bracing day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bracing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of brace
1
as in stimulating
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 sustaining
to hold up or serve as a foundation for several boards braced the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in fortifying
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 bracing
Adjective
Jordan Peele’s first feature, a runaway smash that won him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, functions as both a Twilight Zone-like B-picture and a bracing satire about race, class, and delusion. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 Writer/director Hammer, though, downplays the melodrama inherent to this scenario, even while shooting sequences, whether in Martin and Leslie’s apartment or in various hospitals, with a bracing handheld intimacy. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Futures tied to the S&P 500 dropped in early trading on Tuesday, with investors bracing for a big week of mega-cap earnings and a Federal Reserve rate decision. — Joseph Wilkins,justina Lee,sarah Min, CNBC, 27 July 2026 Financial markets are bracing for a pivotal week, with 175 S&P 500 companies reporting Q2 earnings, including tech giants Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon. — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bracing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bracing
  1. refreshing
  2. stimulating
  3. sustaining
  4. fortifying
  5. restorative
  6. stirring
  7. carrying
  8. strengthening
Adjective
  • The pool is on the smaller side, best for a refreshing dip rather than a whole afternoon affair—and the complimentary weekend yoga adds a nice and easy excuse to start the morning outside.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • Try the Sweet Li’l Thang, a dessert cocktail with coconut cream and bright citrus notes, or the Unencumbered, a refreshing mix of limoncello and cucumber that’s herbal and a tiny bit sweet.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of refreshing
Verb
  • Key Takeaways Collagen supplements help improve bone mineral density, strength, and structure by stimulating new bone tissue and reducing bone breakdown.
    — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 July 2026
  • Even people with long, strong strands look for ways to add thickness, whether through a scalp serum, follicle-stimulating oil, or volume-boosting mousse.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • The company pointed to research from the UK AI Security Institute showing that advanced models are increasingly capable of sustaining complex, multi-step cyber operations over extended periods.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • It is found in building the enduring capacity of leaders and teams to adapt while sustaining performance.
    — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of sustaining
Verb
  • Residents were busy fortifying their properties ahead of the peak of the weather event, as city officials positioned crews early to begin working on lining the shore with berms.
    — Lesley Marin, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Paramount now must strengthen its case for a high-stakes trial while fortifying Paramount’s existing businesses and managing uncertainty among the employee base.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of fortifying
Adjective
  • That can suppress their ability to engage in restorative activities and set up a destructive stress-exhaustion loop.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Full Smile Makeover Antalya has become one of the busiest destinations for smile makeovers, combining cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers with restorative treatments including crowns, bridges and dental implants.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of restorative
Verb
  • Cook gently over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching the bottom of the pot.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
  • The Sun in your 4th House of Home opposes Pluto in your 10th House of Career, stirring pressure around family needs, professional expectations, privacy, and control.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • That was part of his wider goal of sending endless waves of bomb-carrying drones and robots to hit Russian encampments in a bid to sharply reduce Ukraine’s casualties.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Then in April, one of the company’s ships was passing Puerto Rico between two other jobs while carrying an advanced underwater drone with the right sensors to find the plane.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of carrying
Verb
  • Philippine officials credit the transparency strategy with garnering international support for the Philippines and strengthening its military alliances.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • On the council, Raman gave the DSA some of its biggest policy wins, strengthening renter protections and passing a significant reform to the city’s rent stabilization ordinance.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Definition of strengthening

Browse Nearby Words

braces
bracing
bracket
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bracing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bracing. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bracing

Nglish: Translation of bracing for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All