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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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as in sturdy
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Recent Examples of strengthened
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, the stadium had by then become synonymous with big football occasions — a status that was only strengthened by three European Cup finals being staged between 1963 and 1971.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Priscilla has strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue growing this week, potentially reaching major hurricane status within the next couple of days.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Priscilla is expected to track northwestward parallel to the Mexican coast in the coming days, after the system strengthened in the Pacific over the weekend.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
That theory was strengthened when a grainy surveillance video seemed to capture the family of four crossing the border on the same day their car was abandoned.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
The 2024 European Parliament elections strengthened far-right blocs and pushed the centre-right toward diluting elements of the Green Deal, reframing climate rules as sovereignty or competitiveness threats and amplifying cost-of-living and farmer-protest narratives.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo who has been taking part in the demonstrations, said the government's handling of the protests has only strengthened the youth's resolve.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The two college students (and daughters of Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan) live on opposite coasts, but say the health scare strengthened their already-tight connection.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Nevertheless, the stadium had by then become synonymous with big football occasions — a status that was only strengthened by three European Cup finals being staged between 1963 and 1971.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Priscilla has strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue growing this week, potentially reaching major hurricane status within the next couple of days.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Priscilla is expected to track northwestward parallel to the Mexican coast in the coming days, after the system strengthened in the Pacific over the weekend.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
That theory was strengthened when a grainy surveillance video seemed to capture the family of four crossing the border on the same day their car was abandoned.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
The 2024 European Parliament elections strengthened far-right blocs and pushed the centre-right toward diluting elements of the Green Deal, reframing climate rules as sovereignty or competitiveness threats and amplifying cost-of-living and farmer-protest narratives.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Fanilo, a 21-year-old medical student in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo who has been taking part in the demonstrations, said the government's handling of the protests has only strengthened the youth's resolve.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Verb
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That means the buds form on the previous year’s growth and are fully formed and hardened by fall.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
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Subsequent congressional investigations, post-campaign books, and news stories have only hardened public opinion that, with his mental acuity faltering and physical stamina limited, Biden should have stepped aside after a single term.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When fortified with adequate nutrients, especially nitrogen, a lawn can outcompete clover.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
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The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the Money Doctor, the administration’s interest in a plan that would substitute the dollar for the flailing Argentine peso has greatly intensified in recent weeks as Milei’s political fortunes have weakened.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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Pressure on journalists and opposition figures has intensified since Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor and a political rival of the President, was arrested in March.—
Afşin Yurdakul,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Such as especially the case with sneakers, which can be cobbled together from as many as 60 wholly disparate parts, each designed to coddle, protect or perform, from leather uppers to EVA midsoles to the individual metal eyelet through which a cotton or polyester shoelace can be braced and secured.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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When tickets went on sale in Almaty on September 23, strict purchase limits were imposed as organizers braced for unprecedented demand.—
Nina Subkhanberdina,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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McDaniel made the point that the Dolphins’ defensive line and run defense stiffened somewhat after struggling badly on the first drive.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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,
7 Oct. 2025
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The lone crack in Yesavage’s sturdy exterior came in the first inning.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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New Orleans — A bowtie is adjusted.—
Jenny Adams,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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While Ray successfully adjusted its orbit and continues to function, it was not designed to land.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Public frustration over austerity measures and a government seen as detached from everyday realities has only deepened.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
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As the United States' homelessness crisis has deepened, Trump isn't alone in believing this kind of intervention should be used more often.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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