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
From a design perspective, that reinforces Ratti’s desire to keep the emphasis on the flame itself and not the object.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Feb. 2026
At the same time, Brooklyn posted the league’s best defensive rating in December while he was sidelined, reinforcing a direction that emphasized versatility, ball movement and defensive consistency.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
While the full proof would be a signing of Bassitt, the Braves’ willingness to add meaningfully to the budget at this point of the offseason reinforces the commitment that the front office has shown to spend more aggressively than in the past, particularly last offseason.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Early social media engagement reinforced that instinct, with requests pouring in from communities around the world.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Feb. 2026
At the same time, Brooklyn posted the league’s best defensive rating in December while he was sidelined, reinforcing a direction that emphasized versatility, ball movement and defensive consistency.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
While the full proof would be a signing of Bassitt, the Braves’ willingness to add meaningfully to the budget at this point of the offseason reinforces the commitment that the front office has shown to spend more aggressively than in the past, particularly last offseason.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Early social media engagement reinforced that instinct, with requests pouring in from communities around the world.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
Cite this Entry
“Reinforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforce. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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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