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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sturdy
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Recent Examples of strengthened
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Facing China's growing geopolitical influence beyond East Asia and into the Indian Ocean region, India has strengthened its ties with Southeast Asian nations which border the South China Sea in recent years, under a foreign policy known as Act East.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Griffin strengthened her skills for doing this kind of work by starting in the classroom and then working with other sponsorship organizations.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
On the surface, the argument for a cap was not strengthened by the 2025 regular season.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
And then everything the customer does see will be strengthened, Kliger said.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Narda has strengthened, but remains south of Baja, California.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Hurricane Gabrielle has formed across the central Atlantic as the former tropical storm strengthened Sunday afternoon.
—Derek Van Dam, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Consumer spending has continued to prove resilient, and business investment, far from retreating, has strengthened in sectors tied to artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, and manufacturing reshoring.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Facing China's growing geopolitical influence beyond East Asia and into the Indian Ocean region, India has strengthened its ties with Southeast Asian nations which border the South China Sea in recent years, under a foreign policy known as Act East.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Griffin strengthened her skills for doing this kind of work by starting in the classroom and then working with other sponsorship organizations.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
On the surface, the argument for a cap was not strengthened by the 2025 regular season.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
And then everything the customer does see will be strengthened, Kliger said.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Narda has strengthened, but remains south of Baja, California.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Hurricane Gabrielle has formed across the central Atlantic as the former tropical storm strengthened Sunday afternoon.
—Derek Van Dam, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Verb
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That means the buds form on the previous year’s growth and are fully formed and hardened by fall.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
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Subsequent congressional investigations, post-campaign books, and news stories have only hardened public opinion that, with his mental acuity faltering and physical stamina limited, Biden should have stepped aside after a single term.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When fortified with adequate nutrients, especially nitrogen, a lawn can outcompete clover.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
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The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China's official gauge for manufacturing activity showed a smaller-than-expected contraction in September as Beijing intensified its efforts aimed at curbing industrial overcapacity amid sluggish domestic demand and global trade disruptions.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Every stage leading up to Election Day will likely be shaped by ongoing legal battles, redistricting disputes and intensified scrutiny of political messaging.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Such as especially the case with sneakers, which can be cobbled together from as many as 60 wholly disparate parts, each designed to coddle, protect or perform, from leather uppers to EVA midsoles to the individual metal eyelet through which a cotton or polyester shoelace can be braced and secured.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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When tickets went on sale in Almaty on September 23, strict purchase limits were imposed as organizers braced for unprecedented demand.—
Nina Subkhanberdina,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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McDaniel made the point that the Dolphins’ defensive line and run defense stiffened somewhat after struggling badly on the first drive.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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The lone crack in Yesavage’s sturdy exterior came in the first inning.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
New Orleans — A bowtie is adjusted.—
Jenny Adams,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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While Ray successfully adjusted its orbit and continues to function, it was not designed to land.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Public frustration over austerity measures and a government seen as detached from everyday realities has only deepened.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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As the United States' homelessness crisis has deepened, Trump isn't alone in believing this kind of intervention should be used more often.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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