Synonyms of strengthen

strengthen

verb

ˈstreŋ(k)-thən 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harden
• fortify
• toughen
• energize
• temper
• beef (up)
• invigorate
• vitalize
• tone (up)
• anneal
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• cripple
• paralyze
• injure
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• undermine
• enervate
• incapacitate
• wear out
• break down
• undercut
• sap

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• harden
• adjust
• bolster
• reinforce
• toughen
• inure
• steel
• adapt
• brace
• season
• boost
• support
• invigorate
• indurate
• vitalize
• enforce
• acclimate
• acclimatize
• temper
• immunize
• buttress
• anneal
• condition
• accustom
• train
• break in
• prop (up)
• habituate
• naturalize
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• emasculate
• sap
• cripple
• hamstring
• incapacitate
• sensitize
• enfeeble
• enervate
• debilitate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enhance
• intensify
• deepen
• heighten
• consolidate
• reinforce
• broaden
• boost
• sharpen
• amplify
• expand
• redouble
• accentuate
• step up
• augment
• emphasize
• magnify
• extend
• lengthen
• beef (up)
• enforce
• accelerate
• maximize
• supplement
• enlarge
• amp (up)
• hasten
• quicken
• point (up)
• enliven
• restrengthen
• exacerbate
• stress
• aggravate
• jazz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• weaken
• decrease
• diminish
• moderate
• tone (down)
• lessen
• abate
• subdue
• recede
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• let up (on)
• wane
• dwindle
• taper (off)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• brace
• ready
• nerve
• steel
• reinforce
• bolster
• enforce
• forearm
• poise
• psych (up)
• arm
• sustain
• encourage
• inure
• harden
• comfort
• buttress
• inspire
• toughen
• boost
• support
• season
• rouse
• embolden
• stir
• rally
• prop (up)
• hearten
• buoy (up)
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• undermine
• demoralize
• weaken
• daunt
• unnerve
• soften
• dishearten
• undercut
• debilitate
• psych (out)
• dispirit
• enfeeble
• sap
• tire
• prostrate
• enervate

5

as in to stiffen

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffen
• toughen
• harden
• harshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• lessen
• soften
• ameliorate
• moderate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strengthen

Supporters argued that the changes would strengthen security and confidence in elections. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Missouri Amendment 6 Amendment 6 seeks to strengthen Missouri’s initiative petition processes, a century-old form of direct democracy that allows citizens to collect signatures and pass laws. — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

In October, the company set up Hybe Global Label Services to strengthen marketing and promotion across its worldwide operations. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Bringing those strengths together earlier and more deliberately could help turn promising research into solutions that protect our natural resources, strengthen our economy and create opportunities far beyond our region. — Steven Vollmer, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026