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
Publicly sharing progress builds trust with brand partners and encourages the kind of transparency that strengthens the industry as a whole.
—
Kurt Kipka, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
While Ditka’s father worked, Charlotte raised their four children, strengthening Ditka’s bond with his mother.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Knowing whether the solution keeps your headcount neutral or—better yet—helps net some efficiency only strengthens your argument.
—Dave Merkel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
For example, strengthening your biceps can enhance your ability to perform a pull-up.
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Kurt Kipka, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2025
While Ditka’s father worked, Charlotte raised their four children, strengthening Ditka’s bond with his mother.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Knowing whether the solution keeps your headcount neutral or—better yet—helps net some efficiency only strengthens your argument.
—Dave Merkel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
For example, strengthening your biceps can enhance your ability to perform a pull-up.
—Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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But the mood in Israel hardened dramatically when, on July 31, Hamas released a video of the skeletal 21-year-old Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, weeping and in pain.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Coconut oil will harden when cold, leaving you with solid chocolate candy for later.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These five startups represent a growing movement to fortify human and ecological systems against climate volatility.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Many brands fortify soy milk with additional vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and B12, to boost its nutritional value.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The theory is that each of these tax rates distinctly discourages the production and the seizing of initiative in the economy; therefore, cutting them enhances economic activity to an uncommon degree.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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But combining chia with other blood sugar–lowering foods, like beans or lentils, may enhance the effect.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Inspect mature trees with heavy or unbalanced limbs, which should be pruned or supported by cabling or bracing (a service provided by arborists).—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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Immediate and widespread evacuations impacted over 2 million people as coastal towns braced for potential waves.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The sounds capture tiny mechanical vibrations, sometimes caused by stiffening arteries or narrowing heart vessels, that can indicate the early onset of disease.—
Carla Mendez,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
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That combination of scarcity and desirability stiffens competition and drives up prices, DeJohn says.—
Talia Wexler,
CNBC,
30 July 2025
Verb
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The multi-billion dollars and multi-state announcement is the second largest investment in company history when adjusted for inflation, trailing only behind the creation of Appliance Park, 4000 Buechel Bank Road, a GE Appliances spokesperson told The Courier Journal.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
13 Aug. 2025
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Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While Iran frames its warnings as a measure to deter future attacks, the U.S. and its allies view Iran's intensifying rhetoric as likely to heighten regional tensions.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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This stuff is a powerful oxidizer that, while not flammable by itself, will accelerate and intensify combustion of rubber balloons, clothing, hair, skin, eye tissue and other things that burn when used around open flames such as bongs, joints, and cigarettes.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This season, the team needed to take steps to bolster its roster.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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The University of Iowa, Caitlin Clark’s alma mater, bolstered security for women’s basketball home games from 2022 to 2024 as Clark rose to become the most popular women’s player in history.—
Carson Kessler,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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