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
The success of Apple’s AirPods and other wireless earbuds could strengthen the case for smart glasses.
—
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Strategic firing operations are underway and planned to strengthen control features and limit additional spread.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Building and strengthening one-on-one relationships is the way to grow and defend yourself.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
This compound improves blood flow, enhances gas exchange, and strengthens muscle contractions, according to Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian at 360Girls&Women and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Strategic firing operations are underway and planned to strengthen control features and limit additional spread.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Building and strengthening one-on-one relationships is the way to grow and defend yourself.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
This compound improves blood flow, enhances gas exchange, and strengthens muscle contractions, according to Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian at 360Girls&Women and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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The seafloor within the rings around the barrels had hardened like concrete, preventing them from collecting samples with a coring device that would be inserted into the seafloor.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
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In analysis sent to Newsweek, global risk firm RANE said the incident could accelerate NATO's air defense integration and harden its posture toward Russia.—
Brendan Cole
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Richer creams packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that fortify the skin’s barrier from the coming windchill and the telltale skin tightness from indoor heating take center stage on our top shelves.—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Just this past offseason Miami put an emphasis on fortifying the trenches, correcting a past wrong, adding players with size and girth on the offensive and defensive line via the NFL Draft.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The trio, working in tandem with a blend of 30 essential oils and extracts, comes together to condition hair follicles, relieve dry scalp, smooth split ends, and enhance hair elasticity.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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That is, the group enables Hamas to be both arsonist and firefighter, enhancing its control and reach into the lives of average, everyday Palestinians in Gaza.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Houston is bracing for the loss of Framber Valdez in free agency and has already lost three other starters — Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter — to elbow surgeries that will keep them out for some portion of next season.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ravens Pro Bowl edge rusher Kyle Van Noy is bracing to potentially miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury suffered Sunday, per source.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet that comes as experts say competition among convenience stores is stiffening.—
Natalie Rice,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Despite herself, Cali stiffened.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By integrating tariff data with sales performance, market trends, and regulatory frameworks, Rensi can pinpoint inefficiencies, detect policy misalignments, and recommend corrective actions—ranging from renegotiating supplier terms to adjusting pricing strategies.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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That’s because congressional pay for rank-and-file members hasn’t been adjusted since 2009.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The interview came as federal investigators intensified their search for Kirk's killer.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Fighting Irish are getting close to must-win mode early in the season without a conference title game to help bolster its College Football Playoff resume.—
Erik Buchinger,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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