strengthened 1 of 2

strengthened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of strengthen
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
as in stiffened
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes

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 strengthened
Adjective
The goal was not a finished piece of writing but a strengthened mind. — Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 The foundations were welded and bolted to the strengthened deck, and the rotors themselves, fabricated with inner steel cores and composite shells, were then lifted by crane. — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026 Arreola, who knew Jackson for more than 20 years, says his lasting legacy will live on in the young leaders shaped through Rainbow/PUSH and in the strengthened relationship between Latino and Black communities in Chicago. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
It can be created in one environment, strengthened in another, and captured somewhere else. — Dani Nadel, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Another focus point this year is the festival’s strengthened relationship with Spain and the Spanish film industry. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 Kotzmacher said the absence and dismissal of the issue only strengthened her resolve. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Polo has grown into one of the most powerful Pacific hurricanes in decades and was expected to skirt Mexico’s southwestern coast as a major storm, while another Pacific system, Odalys, strengthened Wednesday from a tropical storm to a hurricane. — Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 The Houthis, moreover, have strengthened their position around the Red Sea. — Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026 Odalys strengthens into a hurricane Hurricane Odalys, also in the Pacific, strengthened on Wednesday, carrying maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Sep. 2026 That potential for change comes in part thanks to Nepal’s more than 6,000 rivers and streams that flow down from the mountains and are strengthened by monsoons and melting glaciers, which allow the country to run on 99% hydropower. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026 Sheeran said that the reaction from his audience strengthened his resolve to make sure the show, and tour, went on. — Brendan Menapace, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
  • Massimo The truck is built on a sturdy steel frame that’s attached to a coilover suspension system on all four sides.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike plastic containers, these sturdy steel swaps won’t stain, warp, or hold onto pesky odors.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The skepticism hardened as the Ellisons made several controversial moves after Skydance acquired Paramount last summer.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Gently Scrape It Off Once the wax has fully hardened, use a dull tool, like as a butter knife or hard plastic spatula, to gently lift it off the fabric.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • For children who have dairy allergies or are lactose intolerant, finding non-dairy versions of chocolate milk—such as chocolate almond milk—that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D can be a good replacement for nutrition.
    — Sarah Schlichter, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike the makeshift sand berms built by the city, his house is protected by a natural mound fortified with resilient pickleweed.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Tensions had already intensified Monday when Pakistani fighter jets struck sites in eastern Afghanistan that Islamabad described as militant hideouts.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images The 10-year Treasury note yield was relatively unchanged on Friday after recent selling pressure intensified following hawkish Federal Reserve commentary and stronger-than-expected economic data.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • South Florida braced for more king tide flooding on Monday after businesses across the region were seen placing sandbags as roads were forced to be closed due to the high water over the weekend.
    — Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • As residents braced for the storm Friday, the Red Sox announced their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs would be adjusted.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Chiefs’ defense stiffened and Indy faced a fourth-and-8 from the 15-yard line.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But after a quick touchdown drive to take a 34-27 lead, the Oregon defense stiffened, and closed out the win with back-to-back stops.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • To allow a smaller city to be compared more fairly with a much larger one like New York, researchers adjusted the search totals for population.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026
  • And when Mizzou adjusted for short passes, the Bulldogs hit them back over the top with deep passes.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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