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Antonyms for buoy up

Grammar : Verb
Spell : boo-ee, boi
Phonetic Transcription : ˈbu i, bɔɪ


Definition of buoy up

Origin :
  • late 13c., perhaps from either Old French buie or Middle Dutch boeye, both from West Germanic *baukna "beacon, signal" (see beacon). OED, however, supports Middle Dutch boeie, or Old French boie "fetter, chain" (see boy), "because of its being fettered to a spot."
  • verb make light, encourage
Example sentences :
  • In this fashion did Dick seek to buoy up the low spirits of his companion.
  • Extract from : « The Pioneer Boys on the Missouri » by Harrison Adams
  • His hopeful spirits had helped to buoy up her expectations and assuage the sorrows of the present.
  • Extract from : « Life in London » by Edwin Hodder
  • Floats formed of cork, goose and swan quills, &c., are often used to buoy up the hook so that it may float clear of the bottom.
  • Extract from : « The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 » by Various
  • It was a feeble straw for the buried man to clutch at, yet it was strong enough to buoy up Hope in a stout heart.
  • Extract from : « The Rover of the Andes » by R.M. Ballantyne
  • The air being less dense in wet weather, cannot buoy up smoke so readily, as when more dry and heavy.
  • Extract from : « A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar » by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer
  • He knew perfectly well that Seton was deceiving him in an attempt to buoy up his spirits.
  • Extract from : « The Thick of the Fray at Zeebrugge » by Percy F. Westerman
  • Very slender hopes serve to buoy up people in circumstances like ours.
  • Extract from : « A Voyage round the World » by W.H.G. Kingston
  • Her temper had been soured by disappointment and p. 43trouble; and hope, so long deferred, ceased to buoy up her spirit.
  • Extract from : « Palissy the Huguenot Potter » by C. L. Brightwell
  • It not only rose itself, but helped to buoy up its unfortunate brother.
  • Extract from : « The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part A. » by David Hume
  • "I should say we had," Frank immediately replied, anxious to buoy up the spirits of his companion as much as possible.
  • Extract from : « The Outdoor Chums at Cabin Point » by Quincy Allen

Synonyms for buoy up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019