gear up

verb

geared up; gearing up; gears up
Synonyms of gear upnext

intransitive verb

: to get ready
are gearing up for the big game

Examples of gear up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But a judge has now paused construction across the region, giving a major boost to landowners who have sought to impede the wall by refusing to cooperate with government surveyors, protesting at county meetings and gearing up for court battles. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The Red River Rivalry makes its return on Saturday, and someone all too familiar with the big game was back in Dallas on Friday gearing up for his former Texas Longhorns to continue their national title hopes. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 SpaceX is now gearing up for a space station supply run next week. — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Travis Kelce is having a good October so far, from celebrating his birthday with Taylor Swift to winning against the Las Vegas Raiders and gearing up for Halloween. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gear up

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gear up was in 1943

Rhymes for gear up

See All Rhymes for gear up

Browse Nearby Words

gearshift
gear up
gearwheel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gear%20up. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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