1
as in to harden
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 to fortify
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 to enhance
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 to brace
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 strengthen
Wirtz, one of the most coveted playmakers in Europe, is recognised as an addition who can strengthen the team further, not an easy task given the standards set last season.
—
Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 June 2025
This insensitive demand is also strengthened by the impracticality of alternatives.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 20 June 2025
Ironically, sanctions strengthened the regime by encouraging smuggling, concentrating wealth among oligarchs.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Happel plans to strengthen his connections with independent local businesses, neighbors and artists — some of whom showed up to liquor license hearings curious about the future of the Federal.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 June 2025
This insensitive demand is also strengthened by the impracticality of alternatives.
—Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 20 June 2025
Ironically, sanctions strengthened the regime by encouraging smuggling, concentrating wealth among oligarchs.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Happel plans to strengthen his connections with independent local businesses, neighbors and artists — some of whom showed up to liquor license hearings curious about the future of the Federal.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for strengthen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthen
Verb
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Now, your union advised agricultural employers to harden work sites.—
A Martínez,
NPR,
13 June 2025
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Democratic policies regarding immigration have evolved as attitudes, even among Latinos, have hardened after record border crossings during former President Joe Biden‘s administration.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Coupang has been moving quickly to fortify Farfetch after purchasing the company out of administration at the end of 2023.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
19 June 2025
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The island itself is cut off from the mainland via a path that only appears at low tide, and its citizens keep a constant vigil at the ramshackle but heavily fortified entrance.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Thoughtful packaging enhances brand perception, encourages repeat purchases and boosts word-of-mouth.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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These gothic elements enhance the book’s central preoccupations of trust, fidelity, and the difficulty of fully knowing another person—or oneself.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Acapulco residents had braced for Erick's arrival with more preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation two years earlier.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 June 2025
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Song’s demystification of what passes for love in a typical rom-com is bracing.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The competition has definitely stiffened, after all.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 June 2025
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The defense stiffened, forcing two punts and a turnover on downs to set up Chris Callahan’s game-winning 28-yard kick.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The singer went backstage to adjust before finishing the rest of the show.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
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As the fireline is constructed, inspected or reinforced, mappers record those details to adjust the containment percentage.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Getty Images Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to steal and sell online passwords, experts warn.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
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Black women are often conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own, and this tendency may intensify during the summertime demands.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Verb
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An attempt to bolster his signal under the guise of a junior ham-radio club ends with Elio getting clocked in the eye.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 June 2025
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The surge in American millionaires was bolstered by robust stock market returns, with the S&P 500 jumping more than 23% last year.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strengthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthen. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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