PSYCH-OUT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

psych (out)

verb

Definition of psych (out)

as in to scare

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (out)

Verb

There are a few other helpful features, such as two-way talk to speak with visitors on the other side of your door, as well as a siren that can scare away any unwanted parties.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scare

Verb

But the more productive expansion has to do with character, especially as regards Carrie and her mother, who is not the deranged, abusive religious fanatic of previous versions, but an essentially loving parent frightened of the modern world.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
The stranger’s hollow cheeks, his dark eyes, whose lashes always appeared wet, the bony shoulders that protruded from the singlet Chee Meng had lent him—all of it frightened Shawn.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

The young actor can pull off the swagger and charisma required of a teenage Haymitch, but he was intimidated by the idea of taking on the character’s accent.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Those who use technology to harass, intimidate or torment others should understand that attempts to anonymize their criminal conduct will not shield them from prosecution.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

By the end of her second day, she has been thoroughly terrorized by an active shooter drill and her own menstrual cycle, both of come as a surprise.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
The onslaught aims to terrorize civilians, officials and analysts say, and break their will to resist Russia’s full-scale invasion since 2022.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrorize

Verb

Stubbornly high inflation has been sapping consumer confidence and pressuring the Fed, which recently raised its benchmark interest rate in an effort to cool prices.

— Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
When that happens, oil prices will need to rocket higher to sap enough demand to keep the balance in check.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of sap

Verb

Earlier this year, the EU softened its corporate sustainability disclosure rules and adjusted its carbon pricing framework.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
DedCool understood the assignment and included a warm base of Australian sandalwood, amber, and white musk to soften the scent.

— Vivien Lee, InStyle, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of soften

Verb

Shinn gave examples that will sound familiar to anyone who has wasted part of an afternoon on hold.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Spending heavily here is the most common way companies waste money on AI because there’s nothing underneath to make the spend productive.

— Shweta Gummidipudi, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of waste

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.

Browse Nearby Words

psychotic

psych (out)

psychs (out)

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“Psych (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28out%29. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of psych (out)

verb

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