Synonyms of strengthen

strengthen

verb

ˈstreŋ(k)-thən 

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

• harden
• fortify
• toughen
• energize
• temper
• beef (up)
• invigorate
• vitalize
• tone (up)
• anneal
• firm (up)
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaken
• hurt
• impair
• cripple
• paralyze
• injure
• harm
• damage
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• undermine
• enervate
• incapacitate
• wear out
• break down
• undercut
• sap

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

• fortify
• harden
• adjust
• bolster
• reinforce
• toughen
• inure
• steel
• adapt
• brace
• season
• boost
• support
• invigorate
• indurate
• vitalize
• enforce
• acclimate
• acclimatize
• temper
• immunize
• buttress
• anneal
• condition
• accustom
• train
• break in
• prop (up)
• habituate
• naturalize
• forearm
• limber (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soften
• weaken
• exhaust
• emasculate
• sap
• cripple
• hamstring
• incapacitate
• sensitize
• enfeeble
• enervate
• debilitate

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

• enhance
• intensify
• deepen
• heighten
• consolidate
• reinforce
• broaden
• boost
• sharpen
• amplify
• expand
• redouble
• accentuate
• step up
• augment
• emphasize
• magnify
• extend
• lengthen
• beef (up)
• enforce
• accelerate
• maximize
• supplement
• enlarge
• amp (up)
• hasten
• quicken
• point (up)
• enliven
• restrengthen
• exacerbate
• stress
• aggravate
• jazz (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• weaken
• decrease
• diminish
• moderate
• tone (down)
• lessen
• abate
• subdue
• recede
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• let up (on)
• wane
• dwindle
• taper (off)

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

• fortify
• brace
• ready
• nerve
• steel
• reinforce
• bolster
• enforce
• forearm
• poise
• psych (up)
• arm
• sustain
• encourage
• inure
• harden
• comfort
• buttress
• inspire
• toughen
• boost
• support
• season
• rouse
• embolden
• stir
• rally
• prop (up)
• hearten
• buoy (up)
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• undermine
• demoralize
• weaken
• daunt
• unnerve
• soften
• dishearten
• undercut
• debilitate
• psych (out)
• dispirit
• enfeeble
• sap
• tire
• prostrate
• enervate

5

as in to stiffen

to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe

a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stiffen
• toughen
• harden
• harshen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• lessen
• soften
• ameliorate
• moderate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of strengthen

To harness those resources, however, the region will have to overcome profound infrastructure deficits, strengthen the rule of law, and accelerate regional integration. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

These allow local governments to waive normal procedures, access emergency resources and strengthen efforts to control mosquito populations. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Those who act early will be better positioned to understand emerging risks, strengthen resilience, support the transition to a lower-carbon future, and navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. — Mitch New, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Its collection includes longtime favorites like K-PAK, along with newer formulas designed to strengthen, protect, and smooth your strands. — Taylor Lane, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2026