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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sturdy
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
These examples show that more protections need to be established and strengthened, advocates say.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recovering this credit directly improved our client’s revenue margins, demonstrating how technology and meticulous data analysis by CPAs translate into tangible financial benefits and strengthened business outcomes.
—Rachel S Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Provider consolidation into large health systems has strengthened bargaining power to set higher reimbursement rates with insurers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Demand has strengthened from trade deals, and production levels are poised to increase in the months ahead.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Has anyone else got any hope, especially as Chelsea are strengthened by the return of Sam Kerr from injury, the signing of Ellie Carpenter from OL Lyonnes and Alyssa Thompson set to join too?
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kiko, further west off Mexico's coast, strengthened to Hurricane Kiko in the Pacific.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement This ideological and strategic convergence was strengthened by the emergence of a consensus around Reagan’s deregulatory economic philosophy and faith in free markets in both major American parties in the 1990s.
—Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The past month has renewed conversations about home rule, which many Democrats believe should be strengthened.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
These examples show that more protections need to be established and strengthened, advocates say.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recovering this credit directly improved our client’s revenue margins, demonstrating how technology and meticulous data analysis by CPAs translate into tangible financial benefits and strengthened business outcomes.
—Rachel S Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Provider consolidation into large health systems has strengthened bargaining power to set higher reimbursement rates with insurers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Demand has strengthened from trade deals, and production levels are poised to increase in the months ahead.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Has anyone else got any hope, especially as Chelsea are strengthened by the return of Sam Kerr from injury, the signing of Ellie Carpenter from OL Lyonnes and Alyssa Thompson set to join too?
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kiko, further west off Mexico's coast, strengthened to Hurricane Kiko in the Pacific.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Advertisement This ideological and strategic convergence was strengthened by the emergence of a consensus around Reagan’s deregulatory economic philosophy and faith in free markets in both major American parties in the 1990s.
—Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthened
Verb
-
However, the better individual homes are hardened with flame-resistant siding, roofs, windows and vents, and flammable surrounding items like vegetation, fences and sheds between houses are reduced, the less likely fire will spread from building to building, the study found.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
-
None of the six summer arrivals have yet taken English football by storm and Wolves needed at least a couple of players who were battle-hardened in the league.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And a belief long voiced by many in the region of Israel’s intention to sabotage peace talks has only been fortified by Tuesday’s strikes.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Kremlin has succeeded in building a fortress economy, but one that is fortified against the future more than against the enemy.—
Jeremy Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chinese policymakers have intensified efforts aimed at reining in excessive price cuts that have eroded corporate profits while doing little to spur demand.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Oli's government lifted the ban after protests intensified on Monday, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to storm parliament.—
Gopal Sharma,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lecornu now faces the dual challenge of steering France out of its financial morass while leading a government braced for mass protests.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The news organization vigorously defended the story at the time and braced to fight the legal action.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite herself, Cali stiffened.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Lane picked up three on first down, but the Otay Ranch defense stiffened, turning back the next two runs for no gain.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At first, the poster was happy to meet someone new and even adjusted the reservation to make space.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The two-year Treasury yield tracks expectations for the Fed’s rate policy, and has swiftly dropped as markets have adjusted to the prospect of rate cuts.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On the product front, the brand has deepened its footprint in skin care and broadened laterally into makeup hybrids.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
What might otherwise be a straightforward creepy historical novel is deepened by these uncanny phrasings, and Ravn’s attention to the social bonds in this world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthened. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share