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.
Park is now gearing up to direct Die Alive in New York with Kravitz, which is shooting in New York later this year. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 The increasing competition comes as OpenAI and Anthropic gear up for what analysts expect will be among the biggest IPOs in history. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026 The event is looser on costume restrictions than during a normal day in the park, resulting in adults geared up in creative homages to characters and attractions. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 Many interpret the move as coming from the growing presence of co-founder and president Greg Brockman as the company gears up for a potential IPO. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 13 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gear up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gear up

Nglish: Translation of gear up for Spanish Speakers

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