reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs 
variants
or less commonly reenforce
reinforced also reenforced; reinforcing also reenforcing; reinforces also reenforces
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
reinforce levees
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce ideas
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
reinforce our troops
were reinforcing their pitching staff
3
: to stimulate (a subject, such as an experimental animal) by reinforcement (see reinforcement sense 3)
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
: to seek or get reinforcements
Examples of reinforce in a Sentence
The captain sent out another squad to reinforce the troops.
Our camp is reinforced with supplies flown in by helicopter.
The levees will need to be reinforced.
The bad weather forecast only reinforces our decision to leave early tomorrow.
Some critics say that the movie reinforces negative stereotypes about the military.
We do our best to reinforce good conduct in the classroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
That reinforces the original (or last) experience the customer had with you.
—
Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
And the record emphasizes a theme that needed to be reinforced since her arrival to New York: The Liberty are at its best when playing through Jones as the centerpiece of the offense.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
To reinforce her claim, the woman apparently stepped into the aisle every few minutes to rearrange other passengers' bags, making the bin appear full.
—Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
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Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025
And the record emphasizes a theme that needed to be reinforced since her arrival to New York: The Liberty are at its best when playing through Jones as the centerpiece of the offense.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
To reinforce her claim, the woman apparently stepped into the aisle every few minutes to rearrange other passengers' bags, making the bin appear full.
—Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reinforce
verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support
reinforce the elbows of a jacket
reinforce the argument with facts
2
: to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
were reinforcing their pitching staff
reinforce our troops
3
: to stimulate (a person or animal) with a reinforcer
also
: to increase the frequency of (a response) with a reinforcer
Medical Definition
reinforce
transitive verb
re·in·force
ˌrē-ən-ˈfō(ə)rs, -ˈfȯ(ə)rs
reinforced; reinforcing
1
: to strengthen by additional material or support : make stronger
reinforced with vitamins
2
: to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) by reinforcement
also
: to encourage (a response) by reinforcement
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