as in sturdy
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1
as in hardened
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 fortified
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 intensified
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 braced
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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Recent Examples of strengthened
Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
—Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
One club strengthened in a particular way.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The state, in March 2024, hired an outside firm to conduct an equity assessment to better understand how employees at the time experienced the BHA and to see opportunities where equity, diversity and inclusion could be strengthened across the organization.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Brexit strengthened pro-EU sentiment on the mainland.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
The organization implements careful deployment of the capital, strengthened by human support to encourage and bolster ideation and creativity processes.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
In Salem, Zrike oversaw improvements in attendance and MCAS performance, expanded full-day prekindergarten and strengthened dual-language and early college programs, according to the administration.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Trading five prospects to the Nationals for Gore strengthened a rotation that returns Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi with Jack Leiter in his sophomore season.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
The bullpen will also be strengthened with the additions of Matt Strahm, Nick Mears and Alex Lange this offseason.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
—Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
One club strengthened in a particular way.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The state, in March 2024, hired an outside firm to conduct an equity assessment to better understand how employees at the time experienced the BHA and to see opportunities where equity, diversity and inclusion could be strengthened across the organization.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Brexit strengthened pro-EU sentiment on the mainland.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
The organization implements careful deployment of the capital, strengthened by human support to encourage and bolster ideation and creativity processes.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
In Salem, Zrike oversaw improvements in attendance and MCAS performance, expanded full-day prekindergarten and strengthened dual-language and early college programs, according to the administration.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Trading five prospects to the Nationals for Gore strengthened a rotation that returns Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi with Jack Leiter in his sophomore season.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
-
Better Homes & Gardens Ezra Outdoor Adirondack Chair There are few chairs more classic and durable than an Adirondack chair, and this under-$200 sturdy option is one to add to your front porch, deck, or backyard.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
-
One of the world’s sturdiest planes, a C-130, was on standby at Rawalpindi air base to ferry the body to the man’s village.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Although a good portion of this album still sounds like Kurt Vile going through a Sly Stone phase, the kumbaya squishiness of the past few records has hardened into a brisk antagonism.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The soft landing has hardened into a mathematical wall.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This, compounded by the impact of employee wellness programs have fortified the program’s purpose.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Improves Gut Health Some cottage cheese is fortified with probiotics, live microorganisms that improve the balance of bacteria in the body.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But while the model shifted toward authenticity, the pressure intensified.—
Mina Haque,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Since late January, the harsh cold has has not only intensified demand for home heating oil but also natural gas and electricity.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So we should all be braced for the strong possibility that one or two or three of those picks in the first two rounds will be parlayed into slightly lower picks, plus additional picks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But as Guardiola braced himself for the same old story, City came to life in a fashion that could define their year.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Timberwolves’ defense stiffened, their shots finally started falling.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Outrage from the left about that maneuver stiffened Democratic spirits for a confrontation in the fall.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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But her thickened skin, along with her toughened reputation, felt supple now.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Trump announced a toughened stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine on Monday, setting a 50-day deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
18 July 2025
Verb
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To capture the look and feel of the first season of the show, Selman says that the animators adjusted the visual style for the opening sequence.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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The statement also said air traffic control operation delays were affecting departures and arrivals and flight schedules would have to be adjusted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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