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

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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

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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
With more housing near transit comes less reliance on cars, more pedestrian-friendly development, cleaner air and strengthened commercial corridors. — Bennett Lawson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 The programme’s delivery schedule was strengthened earlier this year through a contractual amendment between Fincantieri and OCCAR. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 Agreeing to global banking standards strengthened the Brazilian central bank’s ability to impose tough rules on the financial system. — Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026 Anna said the death of her newborn boy tested and strengthened her religious faith. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 Economic liberalization in the 1990s strengthened that belief, with the expansion of information technology and engineering sectors creating new opportunities for an emerging middle class. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026 As the storm strengthened and its pressure dropped, the winds grew stronger and this push of water intensified. — Brian Tang, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 During his tenure, Mattel has leveraged the power of its world-class brands, attracted exceptional entertainment partners, and strengthened its balance sheet. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 It can be created in one environment, strengthened in another, and captured somewhere else. — Dani Nadel, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Adjective
  • Despite these headwinds, the labor market has proven sturdy so far this year.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But once assembly was complete the pit was very sturdy, and my wife and I were easily able to carry it between my porch and a crushed-stone section of my backyard that usually holds a firepit, trying it in both places.
    — Noah Kaufman, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • While organizations hardened their front door, modern adversaries did not abandon social engineering—far from it.
    — Firas Azmeh, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • With the warm, soft color of the skirt and top combo, Watts’ look was hardened by her leather jacket.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 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
  • Regulatory activity around the project has intensified rapidly in recent weeks.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While the aerial war has intensified in recent months, fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line snaking through northern, eastern and southern Ukraine has been virtually deadlocked.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 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
  • The commission voted 7-1 to direct County Attorney Tyrone Wade to look into whether any laws or policies were broken during the consent agenda vote and whether any policies should be adjusted to prevent similar situations in the future.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Both figures were adjusted to represent full-time equivalent student and employee numbers.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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