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
Pulling off the latter appearance had ongoing scheduling challenges, but when test audiences reinforced that a Lopez appearance was warranted, Sony, as they’re known to do, moved mountains to help Gormican swing last-minute additional photography involving Lopez.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
Multiple approaches—superconducting, trapped ions, photonics, and neutral atoms—showed credible paths forward, reinforcing the idea that the field is converging on solutions, not dead ends.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
All these images together reinforce the feeling that, although tradition remains central to these holidays for the royals, there's still room for a more natural approach.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2025
Construction has begun on a multi-year, $13 million project to widen the sidewalks of Carlsbad’s oceanfront promenade and replace four sets of rusted and crumbling, steel-reinforced, concrete stairways from the top of the bluffs down to the beach.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforce
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Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
Multiple approaches—superconducting, trapped ions, photonics, and neutral atoms—showed credible paths forward, reinforcing the idea that the field is converging on solutions, not dead ends.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
All these images together reinforce the feeling that, although tradition remains central to these holidays for the royals, there's still room for a more natural approach.
—María Munsuri, Glamour, 25 Dec. 2025
Construction has begun on a multi-year, $13 million project to widen the sidewalks of Carlsbad’s oceanfront promenade and replace four sets of rusted and crumbling, steel-reinforced, concrete stairways from the top of the bluffs down to the beach.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 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 27 Dec. 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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