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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2
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5
as in to stiffen
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of strengthen Proposal would strengthen language in state constitution A third proposal authored by Green and Jacque would strengthen language in Article I of the state constitution, which establishes a right to keep and bear arms. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025 This study strengthens the argument for public health efforts to reduce alcohol use across the population, according to the researchers. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025 Being allowed creativity in the workplace and curating your personal visual environment strengthen confidence in your own visual environment, which in turn can increase your focus, and, by extension, your productivity. Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025 Lázaro believes the product re-launch will also help strengthen the Sharpie brand. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
  • Fertilization and pruning encourage new growth, which does not have time to harden off before cold temperatures set in.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The finale opens in the stillness that follows, grief hardening into vengeance.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And if hair growth is a concern, droves of shoppers recommend this Pura D’or shampoo and conditioner duo that’s fortified with biotin to encourage fuller, healthier-looking hair.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But though the iconic museum was initially constructed as a building meant to safeguard and fortify the area, thieves have managed to get through its defenses on a number of occasions and carry off priceless works of art.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The research team revealed that the findings of the study offer new insights into enhancing the performance of electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Guatemala City — In the bracing morning air, workers leave their homes in the outer suburbs and hurry toward the industrial buildings lining the Guatemalan capital’s highways.
    Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • But next year, the Galls, who live in Meridian, Idaho, are bracing for their costs to grow significantly.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the enormous turnout for the largely peaceful demonstrations appeared to stiffen their resolve.
    Nik Popli, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Drew stiffened as Theo Wiggins headed his way.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • United’s players were still adjusting to Amorim’s system.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • To test the effect of static charge on airborne nematodes, Ortega-Jiménez tethered living fruit flies to a live copper wire and adjusted the voltage between 100 and 700 volts, comparable to what insects would generate in the wild.
    Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shared resources, intimate interactions, and unspoken bonds intensify.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Revelations and reports on both sides of the state line, including an Overland Park real estate deal tied to the Royals, have only intensified speculation about either team’s intentions.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • All of these factors are bolstered by people who contribute to the creation of new businesses and the growth of existing ones.
    Ben Zweig, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The market said the choice was a reflection of the country’s growing footprint as an international location, bolstered by a 30 percent cash rebate, as well as its bubbling local cinema scene led by the likes of Nabil Ayouch, Faouzi Bensaïdi, Asmae El Moudir, Halima Ouardiri and Maryam Touzani.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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