buck up

verb

Definition of buck upnext
1
as in to brighten
to become glad or hopeful buck up, kids, it's not so bad as you're making it out to be

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to encourage
to fill with courage or strength of purpose a surprise presidential visit to buck up the troops

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 buck up Signal flares shot into the social media sky are meant to jumpstart conversations with coaches needing to plug holes or buck up slouching fan bases. — Brian Davis, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026 While waiting for help, stay bucked up inside your vehicle. — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Defense gonna have to buck up yet again. — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 And then, over the course of the six episodes, Julie does encourage him to buck up at a little bit. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for buck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buck up
  1. brighten
  2. encourage
  3. look up
  4. inspire
  5. glow
  6. bear up
  7. revive
Verb
  • From setting up special meals to just brightening days with smiles and genuine care, the staff here lift the already luxury experience to the next level.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Here, the exclusive tech is enhanced with firming peptides, caffeine, and marine ferment, plus brightening kakudu plum extract.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of brighten
Verb
  • Unlike many spas that focus on the healing effects of treatments, Kamalaya goes much deeper, encouraging guests to explore more emotional issues in a safe space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the attacks, said she was encouraged that more than 100 family members of 9/11 victims turned out and by the judges’ questions.
    — Tom Winter, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • Initially accused of possessing methamphetamine and cocaine, Evans pleaded guilty to illegally using his department computer to look up license plate numbers for a friend, his attorney said in a statement Thursday.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Owners who never look up will discover their roof through a stain on a bedroom ceiling.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of look up
Verb
  • After coming across our insightful articles in the course of their online research, potential clients are often inspired to reach out for trip-planning assistance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This isn’t the first time a transformative technology has inspired predictions of mass job displacement.
    — Mary Moreland, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • Happily, though, the Gulf Coast sunsets here will glow all year round.
    — Harriet Elton, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • On one, Basquiat made the figure menacing, with glowing red eyes, while another iteration appears almost nervous.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • It can also be used as a bench, bearing up to 355 pounds.
    — Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • In 1970, the average Chinese woman was expected to bear up to six children throughout her lifetime.
    — Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Definition of bear up
Verb
  • However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has revived Yemen's civil war after a four-year ceasefire.
    — AHMED AL-HAJ, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of revive

Browse Nearby Words

bucks up
buck up
bucolic
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Cite this Entry

“Buck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buck%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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