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
  • His hometown team calling his name on the opening night of the NFL Draft a few months later brightened it.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The restaurant’s name is a nod to former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, whose legacy includes planting wildflowers along Texas highways to brighten the drive.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of brighten
Verb
  • Though the board does not have the authority to forgive the charges, which will still be due by the end of the year, board President Allan Marks encouraged residents to enroll in programs that could help alleviate rising costs.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • According to Ueda, an enthusiastic online response encouraged its adaptation to feature length and a theatrical release.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • The messages were found during a State Bureau of Investigation probe into Elliott, who faces criminal charges for using Flock license plate readers to look up a plate for his friend from college.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, Kim suggested that these records could indicate that Van Gogh was repeatedly looking up and watching the pre-dawn sky, which could have led to him seeing this exact sky on July 22.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of look up
Verb
  • The sweat beads from the worried Republicans in Arkansas this election cycle are Democrat-inspired.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences Dublin’s literary heritage, inspired by the likes of Oscar Wilde, seeps through the walls of The Wilder Townhouse and is reflected in thoughtful details throughout the entire experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • The embers of romance begin to glow as Nora shows Joseph how to embrace the freedom of camp life.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t miss wearable glass costumes, an interactive botanical soundscape, glowing geometric light sanctuaries, and works by Dale Chihuly and other modern masters.
    — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of bear up
Verb
  • Krusty’s attempt to revive his declining show during a Halloween special goes horribly wrong when the Devil arrives to collect on Bart’s deal to eliminate the competition.
    — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The sighting of the faceless ghost revived the history of the unsolved murder all over again.
    — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 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 30 Oct. 2026.

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