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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of strengthened
Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Major oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf region curbed output as the US-Israeli war with Iran showed no sign of resolution, while the dollar strengthened against all of its major peers.
—Robin Paxton, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Those investments have strengthened our infrastructure, expanded affordable housing, supported our schools, and created good-paying union jobs throughout the First District and across Connecticut.
—Dayle Blue, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Junior released $ad Boyz 4 Life, an album that solidified his introspective approach and strengthened his connection with fans.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026
That the partnership with Honda had been strengthened as a result of the issues both sides had encountered and the subsequent work.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Retailers and travel companies strengthened with hopes that a solid economy and an easing for jumps in gasoline prices will mean their customers may have more to spend.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Despite being in Fort Worth for just one season, Suarez already holds a tight connection to the Fort Worth community that was only strengthened by the fan support at GameDay.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2026
Effective July 1, 2025, DPOB further strengthened its financial leadership with the appointment of Sundeep Kohli as vice president of finance.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
The development effort includes strengthened safety standards built directly into the ship design.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Major oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf region curbed output as the US-Israeli war with Iran showed no sign of resolution, while the dollar strengthened against all of its major peers.
—Robin Paxton, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Those investments have strengthened our infrastructure, expanded affordable housing, supported our schools, and created good-paying union jobs throughout the First District and across Connecticut.
—Dayle Blue, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2026
In 2021, Junior released $ad Boyz 4 Life, an album that solidified his introspective approach and strengthened his connection with fans.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2026
That the partnership with Honda had been strengthened as a result of the issues both sides had encountered and the subsequent work.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Retailers and travel companies strengthened with hopes that a solid economy and an easing for jumps in gasoline prices will mean their customers may have more to spend.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Despite being in Fort Worth for just one season, Suarez already holds a tight connection to the Fort Worth community that was only strengthened by the fan support at GameDay.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2026
Effective July 1, 2025, DPOB further strengthened its financial leadership with the appointment of Sundeep Kohli as vice president of finance.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Cornhole toss Set up the sturdy cornhole boards and get to tossing the eight all-weather regulation bean bags.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Within the country there was also quite a bit of criticism that the Israel Defense Forces were physically out of shape and the commanders were not up to the task of facing a battle hardened Hezbollah.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The surge in Crete last year hardened political positions in Athens.—
LEFTERIS PITARAKIS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cream of Wheat Has More Vitamins and Minerals Cream of wheat is fortified with iron and B vitamins.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Many options are available, including dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, organic, non-GMO, or fortified with vitamins and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The settlement discussions have intensified since a trial kicked off March 2 and a final agreement could be announced in the coming days, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Public interest in the case intensified after the local press widely reported that the father of one of the suspects served as undersecretary for governance and compliance within Rio’s state social development and human rights department.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs braced against high winds Friday, with wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph, causing power outages, tree limbs and debris to blow across yards and roads and semitrucks to roll over on highways.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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What happened overnight Escalating hostilities in the Middle East and widening stress on oil shipping and infrastructure have global investors braced for more turbulence when trading resumes.—
Angus Whitley,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After the deputies put him back into the chair, Mitchell’s body stiffened, with his legs straight in front of him and his head lolling back.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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Democrats in Congress stiffened their opposition to an appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to a partial government shutdown.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 Feb. 2026
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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MaiaSpace, a French ArianeGroup subsidiary, has adjusted its timeline, now aiming for an inaugural launch in early 2027.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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None adjusted easily to her height or her husband's for shaving.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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