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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buck up
Dallas keeps bringing up last year’s six-game win over Colorado in an apparent effort to buck up themselves and their despondent fans, who are rending their garments over a meaningless seven-game losing streak to end the season.
—
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The small-town infrastructure was starting to buck up against NASCAR’s ascending popularity — something racing officials wanted to capitalize on by building state-of-the-art tracks out West.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
What’s continued to set the Fosters apart is their work bucking up evacuees and neighbors.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
But to do that, the Coast Guard needs to buck up, build, and then advocate for an aviation strategy that makes few, if any, compromises.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for buck up
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
The small-town infrastructure was starting to buck up against NASCAR’s ascending popularity — something racing officials wanted to capitalize on by building state-of-the-art tracks out West.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
What’s continued to set the Fosters apart is their work bucking up evacuees and neighbors.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
But to do that, the Coast Guard needs to buck up, build, and then advocate for an aviation strategy that makes few, if any, compromises.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for buck up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buck up
Verb
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The hoisin sauce adds glossy sweetness and umami depth, while fresh ginger brightens things up.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
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The SoCal spot is growing in popularity with a vibrant surf culture and mood-thawing weather to brighten up travelers’ winter days.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sundae looked up at the photo on the wall, at Holly Jolly, smiling without shark teeth, sprig of holly glinting on his lapel.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Now, after his recent meeting with Charles and rumors of an upcoming one with William, things are looking up.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its success inspired a wave of canal building in other states, although the economic benefit of these other canals is dubious in retrospect.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
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The aftermath of that crash inspired her branch of the Brown family tree to reshape the Louisville medical scene.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shaped like glowing maple leaves, the six-piece set brings all the cozy fall vibes while brightening up driveways, walkways, and garden paths.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Emerald Cave glows bright green when sunlight hits the water just right.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Harriet remembered there was something: inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of solitude.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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So began the journey to revive the world of Pablo Sanchez and his team of backyard athletes.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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Dramatic footage shows the infant unresponsive as officers performed CPR to revive her.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buck up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buck%20up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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