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
While vitamin D strengthens your bones and muscles, vitamin E works to support skin and cell health.
—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
26 June 2026
The Australian government plans to strengthen laws that ban children younger than 16 from social media platforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
—
ABC News,
26 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
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta also pledged $50 million to Sacramento State in January to build state-of-the-art STEM facilities and an AI center, which Gov. Gavin Newsom said will strengthen the region’s tech talent pipeline.
—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
26 June 2026
The Australian government plans to strengthen laws that ban children younger than 16 from social media platforms, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
—
ABC News,
26 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
Mark Zuckerberg and Meta also pledged $50 million to Sacramento State in January to build state-of-the-art STEM facilities and an AI center, which Gov. Gavin Newsom said will strengthen the region’s tech talent pipeline.
—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
-
The company is offering several products at no cost for a limited period or at a 90% discount on one-year term licenses, targeting customers who need to further harden Oracle Database environments but have delayed investment due to cost, complexity, or procurement friction.
-
As that assumption erodes, attention has shifted from hardening GPS toward security through diversification.
Verb
-
MonthiraYodtiwong/Getty Images Few sources of income are as legally fortified as a federal disability check.
-
The Greens made a key alliance with the Triarchy to fortify its naval forces.
Verb
-
This may sound like a minor detail, but cabin location can enhance the overall journey.
-
In addition to its instant, complexion-enhancing tint, the formula contains skin care ingredients lauded for their smoothing, quenching properties.
Verb
-
In the three years between Special and Bitch, Lizzo began bracing herself for a sharp decline in public interest by creating music that existed on the outskirts of what audiences came to know her for.
-
Now, as traders fear the bitcoin house of cards could be collapsing, the market is braced for the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation to cement an interest rate hike later this year.
Verb
-
Major media companies operating traditional linear networks have been under pressure in recent years amid stiffening competition from large tech rivals as programming migrates to streaming.
-
To execute its ruthless 66-pound weight loss program, the rear seats have been completely deleted, replaced by a massive structural strut brace that significantly stiffens the chassis.
Verb
-
Compare receipts to your plan, then adjust a subscription or daily expense so the numbers match the rhythm of your life.
-
That number can be adjusted based on new information over time.
Verb
-
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.
-
Europe's automotive industry faces a severe crisis, intensified by the EU's 2035 electric vehicle mandate and fierce Chinese competition.
Verb
-
Officials are hoping a surge of foreign aid and responders will bolster emergency workers and help address humanitarian needs.
-
And what better way than to bolster such a big coronation than with a first proper country album in years?
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
