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
January 20 – February 18 Practical choices strengthen your sense of worth.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The immune system is also strengthened by a healthy diet, exercise and restful sleep.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Affordable care strengthens families, supports hospitals and promotes a healthier, more stable economy.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The statement also includes provisions for preferential market access, cooperation on non-tariff barriers, and commitments to strengthen alignment on economic security and supply chain resilience.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The immune system is also strengthened by a healthy diet, exercise and restful sleep.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Affordable care strengthens families, supports hospitals and promotes a healthier, more stable economy.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The statement also includes provisions for preferential market access, cooperation on non-tariff barriers, and commitments to strengthen alignment on economic security and supply chain resilience.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
-
For years, this unspoken truth has hardened her, shaping her into a woman of precision and emotional distance — a mother who learned survival through silence.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Water your plants regularly during the hardening off process, but slowly decrease how much water your plants receive.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Orioles brought in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward for their lineup while adding Shane Baz and Ryan Helsley to fortify their pitching staff.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
No doubt to fortify the regime.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The research team aims to explore how the patches can enhance situational awareness and monitor exposure for military personnel in hazardous environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Items such as candle sconces and decorative milagros add a touch of sparkle and enhance the mood.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many farmers are now bracing to potentially lose money for a fourth consecutive year.—
Tom Polansek,
Reuters,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Post employees had been bracing for widespread layoffs for several weeks.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Extra material had been sewn into the crotch to stiffen and add surface area that would help during takeoff.—
Brian Melley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Spending more time indoors often means moving less, and inactivity can lead joints to stiffen over time.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Insufficiencies, sudden collateral demands, and a scramble to adjust bond agreements have become the norm rather than the exception for many.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are highly adjusted to surviving cold temperatures by producing a type of natural antifreeze to prevent their cells from rupturing, according to Moleai.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tensions between anti-ICE demonstrators and federal officers have intensified in recent weeks in cities across the country, particularly after the shooting deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in separate incidents last month in Minneapolis.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Other concerns are that power-hungry data centers fed by natural gas generators can hurt air quality, consume water and intensify climate damage.—
Conor Harrison,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two former Soviet republics, Armenia and Azerbaijan, agreed under the deal to reopen key transportation routes and bolster cooperation with the United States in energy, technology and economy.—
MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kim Kardashian’s clothing boutique Skims opened a two-level flagship store Friday at the corner of Rush and Oak streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, bolstering an already-strong retail district.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
