1
as in to harden
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fortify
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to enhance
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
encouraged the boarding school students to strengthen their ties with the community by doing public service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to brace
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strengthen
Another key reason the Russian ruble has strengthened this year is that Russian exporters, in particular the oil industry, have been converting foreign earnings back into rubles, analysts said.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Carrier raised an unexpected $10 billion from shedding four businesses while striking acquisitions, including the $13 billion purchase of Viessmann Climate Solutions, to strengthen its position in its most attractive markets.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Establish security standards and procedures while participating in building and strengthening cybersecurity teams.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Police Chief Neil Noakes spent two decades in uniform, working to reduce violent crimes, support officers’ mental wellness, and strengthen trust in Fort Worth.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Carrier raised an unexpected $10 billion from shedding four businesses while striking acquisitions, including the $13 billion purchase of Viessmann Climate Solutions, to strengthen its position in its most attractive markets.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Establish security standards and procedures while participating in building and strengthening cybersecurity teams.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Police Chief Neil Noakes spent two decades in uniform, working to reduce violent crimes, support officers’ mental wellness, and strengthen trust in Fort Worth.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
-
Remember, this isn’t about gaming the system—you’re hardening your company.—
Gabriel Labrada,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Wilders last week held a rare, formal press conference to present the government with an ultimatum for hardening the country’s asylum policy – despite the fact that the minister for asylum and migration is a member of his own party.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Ureña, a hard-throwing right-hander who was signed on Tuesday to help fortify a bullpen that has been ravaged by injuries, replaced Dreyer with a runner on first and one out in the sixth and gave up a single to Pete Alonso.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
-
Bristol Myers Squibb on Monday made a splashy move to fortify its drug pipeline.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
As disparate data sources come together through intelligent ETL processes enhanced by AI, the next step is managing the security, authentication and role-level access of the different departments and users.—
Lori Schafer,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
Some of the nation’s leading tourist destinations, including Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, are bracing for how the decline will impact businesses that rely on spending from international travelers.—
Jason Carroll,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
-
But — for the second year running — Forest have been braced for the prospect of finding themselves in a battle to keep Gibbs-White, with an offer too good to turn down in front of them.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The competition has definitely stiffened, after all.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 June 2025
-
The defense stiffened, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to set up Chris Callahan’s game-winning 28-yard kick.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The handle can even be extended from 26 inches to 32.5 inches, or adjusted down to a 90-degree angle and back.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
2 June 2025
-
New steering column paddles adjust regenerative braking to recapture energy, but there’s no one-pedal setting to bring the bZ to a full stop.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions have highlighted the fragility of our food systems and have intensified competition while simultaneously opening new markets.—
Persa Sakellaridi,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
The Two of Swords indicates mental fog, likely intensified by Mercury retrograde in Aries starting on the 15th.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Bright’s absence aside, the midfield and defence are largely unchanged from the team’s runs to the final in their previous two major tournaments, and the latter has been bolstered by the availability of Leah Williamson, after the England captain missed the World Cup in 2023 with a knee injury.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Lin bolsters this perspective with scenes of Joe posting online about how medication weakens his resolve and becoming obsessed with school shootings.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share