gear up

verb

geared up; gearing up; gears up
Synonyms of gear upnext

intransitive verb

: to get ready
are gearing up for the big game

Examples of gear up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Now, more than half a century later, our species is gearing up to go back — but this time, in a much different way. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026 The county is now gearing up to take the land using eminent domain, a process that allows a government to buy land without the owner’s consent. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Rose recorded an album — a live album, naturally — in 2025 and is gearing up to release it later this year. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026 As Americans gear up for a remarkably hot Fourth of July weekend, party fare is certainly on the mind. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gear up

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gear up was in 1943

Rhymes for gear up

See All Rhymes for gear up

Browse Nearby Words

gearshift
gear up
gearwheel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gear%20up. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gear up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gear up

Nglish: Translation of gear up for Spanish Speakers

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