1
as in to harden
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
lifting weights every day will eventually strengthen your muscles the army makes new recruits run for miles in order to strengthen them
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fortify
to make able to withstand physical hardship, strain, or exposure
required weeks of physical therapy to strengthen his arm enough to pitch for the team again
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3
as in to enhance
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service
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4
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
strengthened herself for the moment she'd have to tell her friend that she had lost the borrowed necklace
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthen
And that indicates that Russia thinks that its military position is actually strengthening in this conflict.
—
ABC News, 13 July 2025
Revenues currently stand at $257 million overseas and $393 million globally, strengthening its position as Apple’s highest grossing movie to date.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 July 2025
Russia and North Korea’s alliance has strengthened, as seen in North Korea’s supply of troops and ammunition to the Ukrainian battlefield in support of Russia.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
The trip could further strengthen an alliance that has the potential to reshape not only the war in Ukraine but the security dynamic in Asia.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
ABC News, 13 July 2025
Revenues currently stand at $257 million overseas and $393 million globally, strengthening its position as Apple’s highest grossing movie to date.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 July 2025
Russia and North Korea’s alliance has strengthened, as seen in North Korea’s supply of troops and ammunition to the Ukrainian battlefield in support of Russia.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
The trip could further strengthen an alliance that has the potential to reshape not only the war in Ukraine but the security dynamic in Asia.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Iran rejects tight restrictions on its nuclear program and has hardened its stance after Israel and the U.S. targeted its nuclear facilities in June.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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They’d be hardened to anything that life and work threw their way.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Both cow's milk and oat milk may be fortified with vitamins A and D, so check the label for vitamin content.8 Vitamin A: Helps to keep the skin and eyes healthy.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
12 July 2025
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Khan, by contrast, is being tasked with a narrower but highly strategic mission: fortifying Apple's supply chain, localizing production, and driving environmental accountability.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 July 2025
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But with a smart approach, mirrors can truly enhance a space.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Born into the cult, Prophet draws comparisons between the group’s apocalyptic dogma (braced for a Soviet nuclear strike, the church built extensive Montana bomb shelters in the early 1990s), and Christian Nationalism, QAnon and the MAGA movement.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Colorado’s health department is bracing for several layoffs early next month for workers focused on cancer and heart disease prevention, thanks to the apparent loss of nearly $2 million in federal grant funding and the state’s own bleak fiscal outlook.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
Verb
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My forehead stiffened and went numb, like it was made of concrete that had suddenly set.—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2025
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Many Republicans would like to stiffen the work requirements by requiring work of recipients who are up to age 65 or are the parents of children who are more than six years old.—
Tracy Roof,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These agents can independently plan campaigns, test variations, adjust budgets and even launch A/B tests without human intervention.—
Saul Marquez,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Still available in white and taupe, its generous strap (which can be worn two ways) is designed to fit comfortably over the shoulder, but can be adjusted to become a crossbody, too.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Russia recently has intensified its airstrikes on civilian areas.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Limited Warning Time and Rapid Onset Many of the flash floods happened very quickly, often within minutes of rainfall intensifying.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Following the recommendations from the NWS helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
12 July 2025
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In Vance’s home state of Ohio, U.S. Secret Service members bolstered a tiny crowd of 8,239, surveying the 26,000-seat venue and surrounding areas for any threat to a man who ranks first in the country’s presidential line of succession.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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