as in sturdy
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1
as in hardened
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fortified
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
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3
as in intensified
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service
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4
as in braced
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthened
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
Arreola, who knew Jackson for more than 20 years, says his lasting legacy will live on in the young leaders shaped through Rainbow/PUSH and in the strengthened relationship between Latino and Black communities in Chicago.
—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
The good news is that resilience can be strengthened long before a crisis occurs.
—
Brian Henriquez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Their resolve was strengthened last year when Miss Major, the eponymous Black transgender activist, died last October.
—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Driving Economic Growth And Tourism Nashville’s restaurants have strengthened the local economy and created opportunities for hospitality professionals.
—
Carey Bringle,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Researchers have strengthened the technique in various ways.
—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
26 June 2026
By signing Paz, Madrid would have strengthened the squad with a player who came through their youth academy – something fans always appreciate – and who is both young and now proven in elite-level football.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Stocks fell, short-term bond yields jumped and the US dollar strengthened after the meeting on Wednesday.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
His prescription was strengthened social infrastructure, religious and sports groups, volunteer programs and green spaces, anywhere people could see each other regularly without paying for the privilege.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Adjective
The foundations were welded and bolted to the strengthened deck, and the rotors themselves, fabricated with inner steel cores and composite shells, were then lifted by crane.
—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
Arreola, who knew Jackson for more than 20 years, says his lasting legacy will live on in the young leaders shaped through Rainbow/PUSH and in the strengthened relationship between Latino and Black communities in Chicago.
—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
In recent days, after Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, Kainerugaba has strengthened his grip with a series of directives and orders usually reserved for the head of state.
—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
The good news is that resilience can be strengthened long before a crisis occurs.
—
Brian Henriquez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Their resolve was strengthened last year when Miss Major, the eponymous Black transgender activist, died last October.
—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Driving Economic Growth And Tourism Nashville’s restaurants have strengthened the local economy and created opportunities for hospitality professionals.
—
Carey Bringle,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Researchers have strengthened the technique in various ways.
—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
26 June 2026
By signing Paz, Madrid would have strengthened the squad with a player who came through their youth academy – something fans always appreciate – and who is both young and now proven in elite-level football.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
26 June 2026
Stocks fell, short-term bond yields jumped and the US dollar strengthened after the meeting on Wednesday.
—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
His prescription was strengthened social infrastructure, religious and sports groups, volunteer programs and green spaces, anywhere people could see each other regularly without paying for the privilege.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
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While linen and silk are light and airy, some occasions call for a sturdier yet equally breathable option.
Verb
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That separates vendors who truly hardened their posture from those who just updated their talking points.
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The interview, released in August, was supposed to follow the show’s usual strange logic, but instead the exchange hardened around Gaza, with Friedland growing visibly emotional as Torres remained largely unmoved.
Verb
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All of this while new AHL Hartford coach Jay Leach and a changing development staff increasingly shape a prospect pool that’s fortified by the team’s most consequential draft class in at least six years.
-
MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images Few sources of income are as legally fortified as a federal disability check.
Verb
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Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election after a June debate performance intensified concerns about his age and ability to serve.
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Hot, dry and windy conditions Wildfire activity has intensified across the western United States, as consecutive days of hot, dry and windy weather have fueled flames in Utah, Arizona and elsewhere as new fires popped up across the region.
Verb
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She was braced against a near-vertical gray rock on a steep part of the mountain, with her back unnaturally arched and her face pointed at the sky, eyes open.
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Germany and Austria are enduring heat in the 90s, and braced for worse as the weather moves east.
Verb
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Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up.
-
Nicks on the edge or stiffened, curled rubber will leave streaks.
Adjective
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But her thickened skin, along with her toughened reputation, felt supple now.
-
Trump announced a toughened stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday, setting a 50-day deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.
Verb
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Several communities in the Pittsburgh area have adjusted their trash pickup times as the region is bracing for a heat wave with temperatures and heat indexes expected to be near 100 degrees this week.
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The difference is that this time, they’re being received by institutions who have recognized the market creators built for themselves and adjusted their approach accordingly.
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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