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.
Meta is also gearing up for a trial later this month in federal court in Oakland, California. — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas is gearing up for the August 8 opening of Vinyl Room at Mandalay Bay, a new Live Nation concept. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The company’s Tuesday earnings report revealed larger-than-expected capital expenditures on artificial intelligence, while investors also geared up for the lockup expiry. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 New posters adorn classroom walls, administrators have reviewed curriculum with teachers and cafeteria staff have geared up for the first meal of a school year. — Leslie Griffy, Mercury News, 6 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 12 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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