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
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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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthen
But any sign of Russian weakness on the battlefield can help strengthen Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table, Zelensky told me earlier this month during an interview in his office in Kyiv.
—
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
As the agency continues to grow, strengthening its infrastructure, TSD strives to preserve the intimacy that first defined those early kitchen-table sessions.
—Contributor, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Last Sunday, Dallas hosted its first Taiwanese job fair, which in part was designed to strengthen the tech and economic ties between the island and the United States.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Another $250 million in grants will be awarded later this year to strengthen the nation’s drone defenses.
—Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
As the agency continues to grow, strengthening its infrastructure, TSD strives to preserve the intimacy that first defined those early kitchen-table sessions.
—Contributor, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Last Sunday, Dallas hosted its first Taiwanese job fair, which in part was designed to strengthen the tech and economic ties between the island and the United States.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Another $250 million in grants will be awarded later this year to strengthen the nation’s drone defenses.
—Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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DeJan was dispatched to Shaffner-Heaney Associates in South Bend, Indiana, in the spring of 2023 to manage the Scrabble board of letters from the speech, made of high performance concrete letters hardened in fiberglass molds.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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While Britain's major political parties, including the hard-right Reform UK, refuse to engage with Robinson, protests linked to the activist and his associates have become a common sight in British cities amid hardening public views on immigration.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Nels have hired private security guards and fortified their property with electric fences and cameras.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Iran already appears to be preparing for this option by fortifying its defenses around its nuclear assets, satellite images from Vantor indicate.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The two countries signed the Pax Silica Declaration earlier this month, solidifying a commitment to strengthen the supply chains for critical minerals and enhance collaboration surrounding advancements in areas like artificial intelligence.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Feb. 2026
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Korean hair treatments commonly use botanical extracts like ginseng, camellia oil, rice water, and green tea, along with fermented ingredients that enhance absorption and nourishment.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hinkson said the city is also bracing to feel the impact of the Metroplex’s rocketing growth, particularly as Fort Worth expands westward along the I-20 corridor.—
Emily Brindley,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
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The city’s most popular beaches, Clifton and Camps Bay, are a short drive away for those prepared to brace the brisk Atlantic waters; yoga teachers can be brought in on demand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
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Instead of masking smells with fragrance sprays, which can stain or stiffen sheepskin, all of our experts suggested using baking soda and cornstarch for removing odors.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Their focus on youth in recruitment demands that older heads (in relative terms, at least — Neto and Fernandez are 25) can alleviate the pressure while players adjust to Chelsea and, in Gittens’ case, the Premier League.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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McDonald said adjusting to tough competition levels up UCLA.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tensions have since intensified, with Washington continuing to deploy military assets across the Middle East.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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The debate over how much university administrators should make, relative to staff and faculty, was intensified by recent raises for those at the top of the pay scale.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Increasing exposure to international stocks could also help bolster returns.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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The arrival of 41-year-old Thiago Silva has bolstered the back line further.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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