as in reviving
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in increase
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in hardening
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fortifying
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 deepening
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 bracing
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
5
as in stiffening
to make more harsh, uncompromising, or severe
a bill was introduced to strengthen punishments for hate crimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 strengthening
Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
What followed was not just the growth of an industry, but the strengthening of tribal self-determination.
—Cody J Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, both companies aim to continue the exploration of new synergies that contribute to the growth and strengthening of their editorial and audiovisual strategies.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
That increases strong winds high in the atmosphere, called wind shear, that can disrupt storms and stop them from forming or strengthening.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
That kind of last-minute strengthening has become an increasing concern for local emergency managers along the Texas coast.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, the Elixir Ultime Oil, with its shine-enhancing, strengthening, and softening properties, would be one of Moore’s go-tos.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Harris voted for original law in 2017 but said Monday that the strengthening legislation took too much from cities looking to keep workers nearby.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Western scalp treatments often rely on stronger, single-minded actives (think minoxidil or high-dose exfoliants) aimed at correcting a problem quickly, while Korean formulas take a more holistic, long-game approach, combining soothing, strengthening, and circulation-stimulating ingredients.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Democracy is strengthening worldwide, according to a leading index, but the improvement is far from universal.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Their involvement will be instrumental in strengthening the project’s positioning in Europe and in shaping its broader co-production and circulation strategy.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Improving math achievement means strengthening instruction and also addressing the barriers that keep students from learning consistently.
—Opinion Staff, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Worldwide, a long-term view toward building or strengthening these relationships may help the public embrace the idea that public health institutions are worth defending.
—Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
For more than four decades, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has focused on building a vibrant, connected Jewish community, supporting education, strengthening institutions, and enriching Jewish life.
—Igor Alterman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Across Connecticut, nonprofits are on the front lines of addressing our state’s biggest challenges — delivering healthcare, educating students, supporting families, and strengthening communities.
—Daniel C. Giungi, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
Other broad objectives include modernizing and strengthening state enterprises and increasing foreign-currency revenue, including through remittances from Cubans in Miami and elsewhere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The benefits include more calories burned, greater muscle strengthening, and improved endurance.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
What followed was not just the growth of an industry, but the strengthening of tribal self-determination.
—Cody J Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, both companies aim to continue the exploration of new synergies that contribute to the growth and strengthening of their editorial and audiovisual strategies.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
That increases strong winds high in the atmosphere, called wind shear, that can disrupt storms and stop them from forming or strengthening.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
That kind of last-minute strengthening has become an increasing concern for local emergency managers along the Texas coast.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, the Elixir Ultime Oil, with its shine-enhancing, strengthening, and softening properties, would be one of Moore’s go-tos.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Harris voted for original law in 2017 but said Monday that the strengthening legislation took too much from cities looking to keep workers nearby.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Western scalp treatments often rely on stronger, single-minded actives (think minoxidil or high-dose exfoliants) aimed at correcting a problem quickly, while Korean formulas take a more holistic, long-game approach, combining soothing, strengthening, and circulation-stimulating ingredients.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Use that Martian heat to scaffold your own determination, strengthening you to handle long-term commitment.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Democracy is strengthening worldwide, according to a leading index, but the improvement is far from universal.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Their involvement will be instrumental in strengthening the project’s positioning in Europe and in shaping its broader co-production and circulation strategy.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Improving math achievement means strengthening instruction and also addressing the barriers that keep students from learning consistently.
—Opinion Staff, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
Worldwide, a long-term view toward building or strengthening these relationships may help the public embrace the idea that public health institutions are worth defending.
—Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
For more than four decades, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has focused on building a vibrant, connected Jewish community, supporting education, strengthening institutions, and enriching Jewish life.
—Igor Alterman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Across Connecticut, nonprofits are on the front lines of addressing our state’s biggest challenges — delivering healthcare, educating students, supporting families, and strengthening communities.
—Daniel C. Giungi, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
Other broad objectives include modernizing and strengthening state enterprises and increasing foreign-currency revenue, including through remittances from Cubans in Miami and elsewhere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strengthening
Noun
-
At least three men were taken into custody by federal agents outside a San Bernardino County Superior Court on Thursday in what advocates are calling an alarming increase of immigration enforcement actions outside courthouses in the region.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers agreed to lower, but not eliminate, the income tax rate while limiting increases on property tax assessments.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nancy Watkins, a principal and actuary with consulting firm Milliman in San Francisco, said one of the report’s most important recommendations is statewide coordination of efforts to reduce wildfire threats through home hardening and removing flammable materials around buildings.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But Iran, which watched the 2003 toppling of Saddam Hussein next door, has been hardening its regime ever since.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The serum is formulated with a holy grail powerhouse that consists of a fortifying complex, firming complex, and Matrixyl 3000—all pivotal for minimizing signs of aging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts noted similar activity occurred before last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer strikes, suggesting a pattern of fortifying critical facilities in anticipation of attacks.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly in no rush to leave his temporary home, deepening frustrations for his brother, King Charles III.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Each movement revealed a little more, deepening the intrigue of what lay beneath the surface.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So House Republicans are bracing for a flurry of attempts to tack on more, including the voter ID and citizenship verification bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In the Bay Area, counties are bracing for catastrophic losses; Santa Clara County alone projects a shortfall of up to $1 billion over the next few years, forcing local governments to scramble for regressive sales taxes to fund what progressive federal taxes once covered.—
Markos Kounalakis,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The machine dryer agitates the clothing and prevents fibers from stiffening during drying, which is why clothing comes out feeling soft.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Czech Republic’s new government will seek to transform the defense industry into an engine of the nation’s export economy as the flagship auto sector faces stiffening competition, Karel Havlicek, minister for industry and trade, told us.—
Suzanne Lynch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Cayenne owners will be able to track charging via their My Porsche app and are able to create pre-conditioning settings to meet their individual needs.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Dyson also claims that the Omega nourishing collection delivers up to 94 percent stronger hair, compared to using non-conditioning shampoo on straight hair.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
-
The health benefits of creatine include strength and muscle enhancement, improved bone, brain and heart health, and help fighting certain neuromuscular conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and muscular dystrophy.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Upgrades include enhancements to its processor, audio system, and webcam, with the biggest changes being to the ports.—
Tony Hoffman,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strengthening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strengthening. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
