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
To be sure, the tie-up with López is not only poised to attract a young audience but also strengthen the Catens’ strong fascination with sports, which play a recurrent theme in their collections and side activations.
—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack exposed Ukraine's shortage of missile interceptors and renewed his call for Europe to strengthen its own defenses.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 July 2026
According to the company, the modernization project is intended to support long-term growth, attract skilled workers, and strengthen the site’s contribution to Italy’s energy sector and local economy.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
The company has also agreed to strengthen its data security practices.
—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 July 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack exposed Ukraine's shortage of missile interceptors and renewed his call for Europe to strengthen its own defenses.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 July 2026
According to the company, the modernization project is intended to support long-term growth, attract skilled workers, and strengthen the site’s contribution to Italy’s energy sector and local economy.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 July 2026
The company has also agreed to strengthen its data security practices.
—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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The organizations that succeed build the platform first, establish a real control plane, harden the data and infrastructure layers, and then let teams scale agents on top of it.
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The interview, released in August, was supposed to follow the show’s usual strange logic, but instead the exchange hardened around Gaza, with Friedland growing visibly emotional as Torres remained largely unmoved.
Verb
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Or mountains of chips covered in mole or salsa fortified with chile pasilla in Oaxaca.
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All of this came after Florida’s four trades for star forward Brady Tkachuk, starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom, backup goaltender Akira Schmid and fourth-line forward Garnet Hathaway to fortify what on paper was already a stout roster.
Verb
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More than 30 Will County schools will receive funds to enhance security thanks to $129,777 in grants awarded by the county from the state’s cannabis sales tax revenue.
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Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
Verb
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The entire domestic box office was bracing for the Independence Day doldrums.
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But true lambrusco, made in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna is dry, bracing and delicately effervescent.
Verb
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Group 1 is pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and severe version that occurs when blood vessels in the lungs narrow and stiffen.
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Pulisic played a dynamic first half in the Americans' historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay to open their home World Cup nearly two weeks ago, but the AC Milan midfielder came off at halftime after an injury from training stiffened up.
Verb
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Organizers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.
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State and local policymakers should do what’s in the public’s best interest and adjust their alcohol taxation accordingly.
Verb
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If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.
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Europe's automotive industry faces a severe crisis, intensified by the EU's 2035 electric vehicle mandate and fierce Chinese competition.
Verb
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Officials are hoping a surge of foreign aid and responders will bolster emergency workers and help address humanitarian needs.
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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 7 Jul. 2026.
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