CHEER (UP) Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

cheer (up)

verb

Definition of cheer (up)

as in to brighten

to become glad or hopeful cheer up—things are bound to get better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to encourage

to fill with courage or strength of purpose the general's speech cheered up the troops tremendously

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheer (up)

Verb

Phase 2 begins when the fragment reaches denser air, and the meteor begins to brighten.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Apply this in the morning to brighten your skin and protect it from environmental stressors.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of brighten

Verb

By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The bark can also be stripped from the branch, called girdling, which encourages faster root growth.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

The film’s opening scene has her wading naked in Hampstead Ponds at night, looking up at the blinking stars and naming the constellations to herself, then closing her eyes as if to let the galaxies above wash over her.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Burgos then looked up the woman’s driver’s license picture on the DMV database, which several officers told internal affairs probably violated department policy, according to the report.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of look up

Verb

Chelsea, despite missing out on a late move for Lamine Camara, and Tottenham have improved considerably, but that is more a reflection of previous dysfunction — and a lighter schedule — than inspired recruitment.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The museum plaza’s sweeping bridge creates a canopy of welcoming shade (inspired by Expo Park’s own trees), which the city — particularly this part — desperately needs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of inspire

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

cheers (up)

cheer (up)

cheery

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“Cheer (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheer%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheer (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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