bracing

[ brey-sing ]

adjective

1. strengthening; invigorating:

   This mountain air is bracing.

2. of, relating to, or serving as a brace.

noun

1. a brace.
2. braces collectively:

   The bracing on this scaffold is weak.

3. material, as timber, used for braces.

bracing

/ ˈbreɪsɪŋ /

adjective

1. refreshing; stimulating; invigorating

   the air here is bracing

noun

1. a system of braces used to strengthen or support

   the bracing supporting the building is perfectly adequate

Derived Forms

• ˈbracingly, adverb

Other Words From

• bracing·ly adverb
• bracing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bracing¹

First recorded in 1475–85; brace + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; brace + -ing ² for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

“Day of the Fight” is an unabashed genre picture that manages to be both the kind of movie they supposedly don’t make like they used to, and also something bracingly fresh.

From New York Times

Instead, we are bracing for the start of institutionalized violence from above.

From Salon

Parts of Scotland are bracing for a second day of disruption with high winds and localised flooding after Storm Bert swept heavy snow and rain across the country.

From BBC

Ukraine will be bracing itself for more Russian attacks, even heavier bombardments.

From BBC

Big media companies are bracing for the possibility that he will do Trump’s bidding when the president-elect threatens retribution against media outlets that are unfriendly to him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• invigorating
• refreshing