buoy (up)

verb

Definition of buoy (up)next
as in to inspire
to fill with courage or strength of purpose the sudden improvement in his health buoyed him up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for buoy (up)
  1. inspire
  2. encourage
  3. bear up
Verb
  • Styles and Swift dated on-and-off until 2013, when their breakup inspired several songs on Swift’s 1989.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
  • Richards, who slept with his guitar and kept a tape recorder by his bed in case he got inspired, came up with the riff and refrain virtually in his sleep.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026
Definition of inspire
Verb
  • Early on, Whalen had encouraged a fruit plate, paired with California cheeses, that never quite took off with customers.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Today’s astro-weather encourages us to be emotionally intelligent without being evasive.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of encourage
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
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

buoys (up)
buoy (up)
burble
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Cite this Entry

“Buoy (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buoy%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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